Senior Mechanical Engineer

Skykraft Pty; Canberra; On-site; AUD 145,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Skykraft Pty is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, and manufacturing of mechanical systems for its satellite platforms. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability, space-qualified hardware from concept through launch.

You will apply creativity and engineering judgement to simplify systems, improve manufacturability, and scale for constellations, while mentoring junior engineers and participating in design reviews.

Qualifications

• Experience designing lightweight structures for space environments.
• Knowledge of spacecraft integration and deployment systems.
• Familiarity with structural and thermal analysis using hand calculations and FEA.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of satellite subsystems including structures and thermal control.
• Oversee fabrication, assembly and integration to spaceflight standards.
• Develop and maintain design docs, drawings, ICDs and BOMs.
• Collaborate with systems, electrical, propulsion and mission assurance teams.
• Support environmental testing and resolve design non-conformances.
• Mentor junior engineers across multiple projects and participate in design reviews.
• Contribute to customer meetings and mission planning activities.
• Drive simplifications to improve reliability and manufacturability for constellations.

Skills

Lightweight structures

Random vibration

Shock loading

Spacecraft knowledge

Launch vehicle integration

Deployment systems

Structural analysis

FEA tools

Thermal analysis

Mentoring

Tools

FEA software

Thermal analysis tools

Job description

Skykraft delivers Air Traffic Management (ATM) services from space to serve the global market for air traffic surveillance and communications, especially over remote and oceanic regions. Headquartered in Australia, we use a small satellite approach and dedicated ATM infrastructure to deliver services to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANPSs) worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, and manufacturing of mechanical systems for our satellite platforms. The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop high-reliability, space-qualified hardware from concept through launch. The role calls for someone who can apply creativity and sound engineering judgement to deliver mechanical systems that are cost-effective, robust, and straightforward to manufacture, assemble, and test.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead mechanical design and development of satellite subsystems including structures, enclosures, thermal control, and deployment mechanisms.
• Identify and drive the implementation of simplifications of our mechanical systems to improve reliability, manufacturability and scale up to constellations.
• Oversee the fabrication, assembly, and integration of mechanical components, ensuring adherence to quality and spaceflight standards.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, engineering drawings, ICDs, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, electrical, thermal, propulsion, and mission assurance teams to ensure full system integration and performance.
• Support environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, shock) and resolve non-conformances or design issues.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple projects.
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR), customer meetings, and mission planning activities

Experience/Knowledge Required

• Strong background in designing and developing lightweight structures subject to random vibration and shock loading.
• Ability to rapidly acquire industry-specific knowledge in spacecraft, launch vehicle integration, and deployment systems.
• Exposure to structural and thermal analysis using hand calculations and FEA tools is desirable.

Skykraft offers a dynamic and exciting work environment, designing, building and operating satellites for global impact.