Research Assistant (Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer)

United Arab Emirates University, Department of Family Medicine; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

United Arab Emirates University seeks a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer to support a one-year CubeSat mission. You will perform thermal and structural analyses, create CAD models and drawings, and guide AIT activities with students and subsystems to ensure a robust spacecraft structure and interfaces.

The role involves documenting designs, preparing test procedures, and collaborating across teams to ready the satellite for environmental testing and flight, with hands-on assembly experience valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Strong 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawing skills.
• Experience with thermal and structural/FEA for aerospace or precision mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of materials, fasteners, tolerances, manufactur­ing processes, and design for assembly.
• Comfortable working in a lab or cleanroom and supporting satellite assembly, integration, and test.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermal and structural analysis for CubeSat components.
• Create CAD models and precise engineering drawings.
• Conduct assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) activities with students.
• Ensure manufacturability, documentation, and robust interfaces.
• Collaborate with subsystem teams and mentors.

Skills

CAD modeling

Engineering drawings

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

FEA

Design for assembly

Lab/cleanroom

Satellite AIT

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer to support a one-year university CubeSat mission. The role covers thermal analysis, CAD modeling and drawings, structural analysis, and Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) of the satellite, in collaboration with subsystem teams and students. The engineer will ensure the spacecraft structure and mechanical interfaces are robust, manufacturable, documented, and ready for environmental testing and flight.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawings.
• Experience performing thermal and structural/finite-element analysis for aerospace or precision mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of materials, fasteners, tolerances, manufacturing processes, and design for assembly.
• Comfortable working in a lab or cleanroom and supporting hands-on satellite assembly, integration, and test.

Preferred Qualification

• CubeSat/spacecraft mechanical design or AIT experience (university or industry).
• Experience with thermal and structural analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with vibration, thermal-vacuum, and other spacecraft environmental tests.
• Experience preparing CAD models, drawings, interface documents, test procedures, and reports.
• Mentoring experience with student teams or junior engineers.