Units Thermomechanical Engineer

Blackshark; Mont-Saint-Guibert; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerospacelab in Belgium is seeking a Unit Thermomechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis and production of satellite units across mechanical, thermal, structural and radiation domains. You will own 3D design, manufacturing drawings, and environmental tests from concept through validation and flight readiness.

Join a multidisciplinary team and grow into senior ownership, with hands-on experience spanning thermal, structural and radiation challenges in a demanding aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or related mechanical field with CAD exposure.
• Foundations in mechanical design and drawings, plus testing.
• Interest in cross-disciplinary mechanical/thermal/structural/radiation expertise.
• Excellent communication skills and fast learner.
• Fluency in English and willingness to engage with European space industry.

Responsibilities

• Design the mechanical structure of satellite units from concept to detail.
• Produce 3D models and manufacturing drawings for unit parts.
• Perform thermal analysis and tests within component limits.
• Conduct structural analysis and vibration campaigns for qualification.
• Carry out radiation analyses (TID/TNID) as needed.
• Support validation testing and coordinate with EEE team and suppliers.
• Own units with increasing autonomy under senior guidance.

Skills

CAD design

Thermal modelling

Structural analysis

Vibration testing

Radiation analysis

3D modelling

Manufacturing drawings

Communication skills

English fluency

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

MATLAB

Job description

About Aerospacelab

Our mission is supported by an ambitious vertically integrated approach: design & manufacture of small satellites combined with development of earth observation services.

Since its creation in 2018, the company has already grown substantially. Our team gathers more than 25 engineering expertise, from hardware design to software development & data science.

In 2026, Aerospacelab counts offices in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), Toulouse (France), Lausanne (Switzerland) and US West Coast with more than 400 full-time employees, with the ambition to position itself as the European leader in small satellites.

Role overview

As a Unit Thermomechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, validation, and production of satellite units, whatever their underlying technology. Around each unit's core, you will design the mechanical structure so it withstands the thermal, structural, and radiation environments it will face throughout the mission.You will own these aspects end-to-end for your assigned units: 3D design and production drawings, radiation, thermal, and structural design, as well as environmental tests (vibration and thermal). You'll work hands-on across the full lifecycle, from early design through validation and production.This is a great opportunity to build broad, hands-on technical expertise across four demanding engineering domains, mechanical, thermal, structural, and radiation, while progressively growing into a role with real ownership and autonomy over flight hardware.

Key responsibilities

• Design the mechanical structure of satellite units, from concept to detailed design, adapted to each unit's specific technology (electronic, electromechanical, etc.).
• Produce 3D models and manufacturing drawings for unit parts.
• Perform thermal analysis and tests to ensure units operate within their components' thermal limits.
• Perform structural analysis and vibration testing campaigns to ensure the unit and its components withstand vibration loads.
• Perform radiation analysis (TID/TNID) and spot shield sensitive electronic components if needed.
• Support validation testing and troubleshooting, working closely with the EEE team and suppliers.
• Progressively take ownership of units with increasing autonomy, with guidance from senior engineers in the guild.

Must have

• 1 to 4 years of experience in aerospace or another relevant mechanical, thermal, or structural engineering field, with exposure to CAD design, structural and/or thermal modelling.
• Good foundations in mechanical design and manufacturing drawings, as well as modelling and testing.
• Interest in developing broad, cross-disciplinary expertise (mechanical, thermal, structural, radiation).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Fast learner, result-oriented.
• Fluency in English.
• Willingness to challenge the European space industry status quo.

Nice to have

• Exposure to FEA tools (structural or thermal).
• Experience with vibration and/or thermal testing.
• Familiarity with radiation effects on electronics (TID/TNID).
• Experience in space or satellite-related projects (academic or professional).