Lead Mechanical Engineer – Spacecraft Structures & Deployables - Sateliot

Sateliot; Barcelona; Híbrido; EUR 110.000 - 150.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work model

Contrato a tiempo completo

Descripción de la vacante

Sateliot, con sede en Barcelona, busca un Ingeniero Mecánico Principal para liderar el desarrollo de la estructura del satélite y sistemas de antena. Se requiere enfoque de primeros principios y experiencia en estructuras desplegables ligeras para entornos LEO.

El candidato gestionará el ciclo de vida completo, desde concepto y CAD hasta fabricación, calificación e integración, con énfasis en pruebas de vibración y térmica y en asegurar desempeño dentro de límites de masa y rigidez.

Formación

• Se requiere pensamiento de primeros principios en mecánica estructural y térmica.
• Experiencia en liderazgo técnico y manejo de proyectos de hardware aeroespacial.
• Capacidad para diseño, análisis, verificación y entrega de hardware de misión.

Responsabilidades

• Dirigir el diseño mecánico de la plataforma satelital y antenas de carga útil.
• Toma de decisiones de arquitectura basada en principios físicos con énfasis en masa y estabilidad térmica.
• Conducir tareas de calificación, pruebas y validación en asimilación de entorno espacial.
• Liderar ciclo de vida completo desde concepto hasta producción y prueba en AIT.

Conocimientos

Pensamiento de primeros principios

Liderazgo técnico

Propiedad de extremo a extremo

Análisis estructural térmico

Educación

Maestría o Doctorado en Ingeniería Mecánica o Aeroespacial

Herramientas

ANSYS

Abaqus

Descripción del empleo

Descripción del trabajo

WHO ARE WE? Sateliot is a Barcelona-based Startup in the New Space sector, becoming the first satellite telecommunications operator that will provide global and continuous connectivity to all the elements that will make up the massive Internet of Things (IoT) universe under the 5G protocol. In order to do so, Sateliot is launching a constellation of last generation nanosatellites, located at low altitude that act as mobile towers. Sateliot is the perfect complement for large telecommunications companies by providing them with the necessary infrastructure where terrestrial technologies do not arrive.

YOUR MISSION Sateliot is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical and thermal‑structural engineering across the full lifecycle of an advanced LEO satellite platform and payload antenna system. This role requires a deep first‑principles approach to mechanical design, combined with hands‑on expertise in developing lightweight, deployable, semi‑rigid space structures that must survive launch loads, deploy reliably in orbit, and maintain performance through aggressive LEO thermal cycling. The successful candidate will take ownership from early concept and detailed design through manufacturing, qualification, integration, testing, and on‑orbit support.

Your Main FunctionsMechanical Architecture & Structural Leadership

• Own the mechanical design of the satellite bus structure and payload antenna assemblies.
• Lead architecture decisions using physics‑based first principles reasoning, balancing mass, stiffness, thermal stability, and manufacturability.
• Drive structural trade‑offs for LEO‑class spacecraft where volume and mass efficiency are critical.

Deployable & Lightweight Space Structures

• Design and qualify deployable mechanisms and semi‑rigid lightweight structures (antenna deployment systems, panels, booms, hinges).
• Ensure robust repeatability, stiffness, and dimensional stability after deployment.
• Address latch design, hold‑down release mechanisms, tolerances, and deployment dynamics in orbit.

LEO Orbital Mechanical Environment Expertise

• Design spacecraft structures for the unique challenges of LEO operation, including:
• High‑frequency thermal cycling (eclipse transitions)
• Thermo‑elastic distortion affecting payload pointing and RF performance
• Atomic oxygen degradation of exposed materials
• Microgravity‑induced structural behaviour changes

Launch Survivability & Mechanical Qualification

• Ensure all mechanical systems meet launcher and environmental requirements, including:
• Random vibration
• Acoustic loading
• Shock events (separation, pyro‑shock)
• Define qualification and acceptance approaches suitable for LEO constellation‑style deployment, balancing reliability and production cadence.

Full Engineering Lifecycle Ownership

• Lead mechanical development through the complete lifecycle:
• Concept design and prototyping
• Detailed CAD and manufacturing release
• Supplier engagement and production readiness
• Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT)
• Qualification campaigns (vibration, thermal vacuum, deployment testing)

Structural Analysis & Verification

• Oversee structural analysis activities, including:
• FEM development and correlation
• Modal analysis, static margins, buckling, dynamic response
• Establish verification plans compliant with ECSS/NASA/launcher requirements.
• Support hardware test execution, anomaly resolution, and design iteration.

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

• Act as mechanical technical authority interfacing with systems, RF, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and mission teams.
• Mentor engineers and elevate structural/mechanical rigor across the organization.

REQUIREMENTSGeneral

• MSc or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience delivering flight mechanical hardware for spacecraft or high‑reliability aerospace systems.
• Strong first‑principles structural and thermal‑mechanical reasoning capability.
• Proven experience designing for:
• Launch vibration and shock environments
• Thermal‑vacuum operation in LEO
• Deployable spacecraft structures and antenna systems

Tools & Technical Competencies

• Structural simulation: ANSYS, Abaqus
• Understanding of coupled thermal‑structural effects preferred
• Experience with qualification documentation, test correlation, and margin tracking

Personal Attributes

• Physics‑driven engineer with deep curiosity and rigor
• End‑to‑end ownership mindset across design → test → flight
• Strong balance of analytical depth and practical build/test execution
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, high‑performance LEO development environments

NICE TO HAVE

• Mechanical ownership of deployable antenna reflectors, phased‑array panels, booms, or other lightweight space deployable.
• Deep familiarity with spacecraft structural materials and processes:
• CFRP composites
• Aluminium and titanium alloys
• Precision machining and additive manufacturing where appropriate
• Working knowledge of atomic oxygen, outgassing, contamination, and material selection for LEO.
• Experience supporting cleanroom integration and test campaigns.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND WHEN WORKING AT SATELIOT: You will be part of one the fastest‑growing start‑ups in Spain with global reach along getting into the challenging world of New Space & culture is based on embracing openness by welcoming multicultural talent, being respectful with everybody and being open to exchange ideas. We are also committed to a healthy lifestyle by helping our team balance their work and personal life and also by providing them facilities for healthy habits.We are a driven team with big goals, that seek for people who are genuinely passionate about their work and that also want to keep learning and getting better personally and professionally!

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

• Full time permanent Contract
• Hybrid Work Model