Contract Mechanical Design Engineer (Outside IR35)

NewOrbit Space; Reading; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and competitive salary

Hybrid work pattern

Visa sponsorship & relocation support

Private health insurance

Job summary

NewOrbit Space in Reading, UK, is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design of satellite structures from concept through qualification and on-orbit operation.

You will translate requirements into manufacturable designs, develop 3D models, perform prototyping and environmental testing, and collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and thermal engineers to integrate mechanical components. Hybrid work with relocation and visa sponsorship available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering field.
• 5+ years’ experience in satellite mechanical design and MGSE for aerospace.
• Proficiency in CAD and GD&T with manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design, materials, FEA and thermal management.
• Ability to design, build, and test hardware with iterative troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems for satellites including primary structure and mechanisms.
• Generate 3D CAD models and fully dimensioned drawings with GD&T and interface documents.
• Lead design reviews and plan verification tests through qualification and on-orbit operations.
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, cost, mass, and reliability with suppliers.
• Support prototype builds and environmental tests, iterating based on results.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and thermal engineers for integration.

Skills

Satellite mechanical design

GD&T proficiency

FEA knowledge

Thermal management

Prototype testing

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight.

We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites.

Role Overview

Responsible for the mechanical design of satellite structures, mechanisms, and related hardware from concept through qualification and on-orbit operation.

Working within a small, multidisciplinary team, you will translate requirements into manufacturable designs and validate them through prototyping and environmental testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems and components for satellites, including primary structure, thermal-control hardware, secondary structures, and mechanisms.
• Generate 3D CAD models, fully dimensioned drawings, and interface control documents using GD&T, managing assembly configuration and PLM data.
• Take hardware from conceptual design through qualification to on-orbit operations, leading design reviews, and planning verification tests.
• Optimise designs for manufacturability, cost, mass, and reliability, working directly with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Support prototype builds, assembly, integration, and environmental test campaigns, iterating designs based on results.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and thermal engineers to integrate mechanical components into the satellite platform.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in satellite mechanical design, including primary structure, pipe routing, electromechanics, and MGSE for aerospace applications (satellites, payloads, launch vehicles).
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks.
• Practical application of GD&T and experience producing manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Solid grounding in mechanical design principles, materials, structural mechanics, FEA, and thermal management.
• Demonstrated ability to design, build, and test hardware, including troubleshooting and iteration.

Why NewOrbit Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology - You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact - You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary - You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package - Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc.
• Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week.
• Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.