Composite CAD Design Engineer

Ali Aydi; Deutschland; Remote; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Exploration Company is seeking a talented Composite CAD Design Engineer to design and develop composite structures for our spacecraft. You will drive CAD modelling of composite parts using Siemens NX with Fibersim, and contribute to the vehicle’s overall composite architecture from concept to detailed design.

You will collaborate with mechanical and manufacturing teams to select materials, define layups, and ensure producibility while meeting mass and performance targets.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in composite design for aerospace or high-performance applications.
• Experience in design and development of metallic parts for aerospace or high-performance applications.
• Proficiency with Siemens NX (Fibersim or similar) and knowledge of laminate theory and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design, modelling, and integration of composite parts and assemblies.
• Contribute to the definition and maturation of the vehicle’s composite architecture.
• Support the definition and maturation of the vehicle's metallic parts.

Skills

Siemens NX

Fibersim

Composite design

English

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Fibersim

Job description

Here at The Exploration Company, we are building spacecrafts for humanity.

Here at the The Exploration Company we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit, and which carries cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

We want you as a talented Composite CAD design engineer to help us in our mission by designing and developing our composite structures for our spacecraft.

Mission

As a Composite Design Engineer, you will:

• Drive the design, modelling, and integration of composite parts and assemblies, ensuring optimal performance, manufacturability, and compliance with mission requirements.
• Be a key contributor to the definition and maturation of the vehicle’s composite architecture, from concept to detailed design and industrialization.
• Support to the definition and maturation of the vehicle's metallic parts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Composite CAD Modelling: Build and mature CAD models of composite structures and sub-systems using Siemens NX (Fibersim experience highly valued), including layup definition, ply book creation, and integration with metallic and non-metallic parts.
• Metallic CAD modelling: To support the design, modelling, and integration of metallic parts and assemblies, ensuring their compatibility and integration with the overall vehicle architecture.
• Design for Manufacturing: Collaborate with manufacturing and process engineers to ensure designs are producible, cost-effective, and meet quality standards. Propose layup sequences, manufacturing processes, and tolerances.
• Material & Process Selection: Collaborate with the mechanical engineers to select appropriate composite materials (e.g., CFRP, sandwich panels) and processes, considering mission environments, thermal and mechanical loads, and supplier capabilities.
• Analysis Integration: Work closely with structural and thermal analysts to iterate designs based on FEA results, trade-offs, and test feedback.
• Documentation & Reviews: Prepare and release technical drawings, ply books, and design documentation. Participate in design reviews and support the qualification of composite parts.
• Configuration & Mass Management: Ensure configuration control of composite models and contribute to the vehicle mass budget tracking.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the development and improvement of composite design tools, databases, and best practices.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Engage in co-engineering sessions with mission analysis, propulsion, avionics, GNC, and system teams to ensure robust, integrated solutions.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering,
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in composite design for aerospace or high-performance applications.
• Experience in the design and development of metallic parts for aerospace or high-performance applications, including knowledge of relevant materials, manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with Siemens NX (Fibersim or similar composite design modules preferred). Strong knowledge of aerospace vehicle design and associated challenges,
• Knowledge of composite materials, laminate theory, failure criteria, and manufacturing processes (e.g., RTM, pre-preg, sandwich construction).
• Experience with the design and verification of composite structures, including ply book creation and documentation.
• Fluent in English. German, French or Italian are an asset.

Skills and Behaviors:

• Strong oral and written communication skills,
• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills,
• Strong organising and prioritisation of tasks,
• Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done,
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Vision, Mission, Teamwork, Integrity and Excellence.

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind
• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them
• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.