Research Assistant (Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer)

United Arab Emirates University; Al Ain; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United Arab Emirates University seeks a Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer to support a one-year CubeSat mission. Responsibilities include thermal analysis, CAD modeling and drawings, structural analysis, and AIT of the satellite, collaborating with subsystem teams and students.

You will ensure the spacecraft structure and mechanical interfaces are robust, manufacturable, documented, and ready for environmental testing and flight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawings.
• Experience with 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.

Responsibilities

• Support a one-year CubeSat mission with thermal analysis, CAD modeling, drawings, and structural analysis.
• Participate in Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) of the satellite in collaboration with subsystem teams and students.
• Ensure spacecraft structure and mechanical interfaces are robust, manufacturable, and well documented.
• Prepare interfaces documents, test procedures, and reports as part of the mission.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Engineering drawings

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

Design for assembly

Lab/cleanroom support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering or related field

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 Qualifications

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.