Graduate Mechanical Design Engineer

SpaceAM Ltd.; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceAM Ltd. seeks a Graduate Mechanical Design Engineer to design, prototype and test lightweight structures and mechanisms for sensor payloads. You will work closely with electronics and software engineers, owning hardware early and growing rapidly with mentoring from senior engineers.

You will design lightweight parts in 3D CAD, integrate sensors and harnesses, and support prototype tests while documenting results. A 2:1 degree is required and proficiency in CAD tools is essential.

Qualifications

• 2:1 or higher in Mechanical/Aerospace or related engineering degree (BEng/MEng).
• Proficient in 3D CAD: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Siemens NX or CATIA.
• Strong fundamentals: statics, materials, mechanics of materials, tolerancing.
• Hands-on hardware building and testing experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication; thrives in small fast-paced teams.
• Experience with design for additive manufacturing and prints.
• Interest in aerodynamics/flight dynamics or biomimetic design.
• Familiar with composite materials and lightweight structures.
• Basic electronics, sensor integration, Python/MATLAB for data analysis.
• Experience with student projects like Formula Student, CubeSat, UAV, etc.
• Awareness of space/defence standards (ECSS, Def Stan).

Responsibilities

• Design lightweight mechanical parts and assemblies in 3D CAD from concept to production-ready models.
• Integrate sensors, electronics and harnesses to support electronics and software development.
• Design for additive manufacturing, including topology optimisation, lattice structures and print orientation.
• Run hand calculations and FEA to check strength, stiffness, mass and thermal behaviour.
• Build and iterate prototypes using appropriate tools.
• Plan and support prototype tests, field trials and environmental testing; analyse results and document.
• Produce engineering drawings with GD&T and BOMs.
• Work with suppliers on parts, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Maintain design records and processes.

Skills

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Siemens NX

CATIA

Statics

Materials

Mechanics of materials

Tolerancing

Hands-on hardware

Python

MATLAB

Communication skills

Additive manufacturing

Aerodynamics/flight dynamics

Biomimetic design

ECSS/Def Stan awareness

Sensor integration

Basic electronics

Education

2:1 or above in Mechanical, Aerospace or related engineering degree (BEng/MEng)

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Siemens NX

CATIA

Job description

NEW ROLE - Graduate Mechanical Design Engineer

The role

We are hiring a Graduate Mechanical Design Engineer to design, prototype and test lightweight structures and mechanisms which carry and deploy our sensor payloads. You will help develop new technologies, taking concepts through CAD, analysis, manufacture and test, working directly with our electronics and software engineers.

As one of a small team, you will own real hardware early, and have the opportunity to grow quickly with mentoring from senior engineers.

What you will do

• Design lightweight mechanical parts and assemblies in 3D CAD, from concept sketches to production-ready models.
• Integrate sensors, electronics and harnesses to support electronics and software developments.
• Design for additive manufacturing, including topology optimisation, lattice structures and print orientation.
• Run hand calculations and FEA to check strength, stiffness, mass and thermal behaviour as required.
• Build and iterate prototypes using appropriate tools.
• Plan and support prototype tests, field trials and environmental testing. Analyse the results and produce appropriate documentation.
• Produce engineering drawings with GD&T, and bills of materials.
• Work with suppliers on parts, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Maintain design records and processes.

What we are looking for

• A 2:1 or above (or expected) in Mechanical, Aerospace or a related engineering degree (BEng/MEng).
• Confident use of a 3D CAD package such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Siemens NX or CATIA.
• Sound grasp of engineering fundamentals: statics, materials, mechanics of materials and tolerancing.
• Hands‑on experience building and testing hardware, through projects, placements or clubs.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and comfortable working in a small team, in a fast‑paced environment.
• Design for additive manufacturing (polymer or metal) and experience preparing prints.
• Interest in aerodynamics, flight dynamics or biomimetic design.
• Composite materials, lightweight structures or mass‑critical design.
• Basic electronics, sensor integration or Python/MATLAB for test data analysis.
• Student projects such as Formula Student, rocketry, CubeSat, UAV or IMechE/RAeS challenges.
• Awareness of space or defence standards (ECSS, Def Stan).

Security requirements

Because of the nature of our work, the successful candidate must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks before starting. They must also be eligible for and willing to undergo UK Security Check (SC) clearance. SC clearance normally requires at least five years’ residency in the UK. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

What we offer

• Real ownership of innovative hardware solutions from the outset.
• Mentoring from senior engineers and support towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
• A chance to join a fast growing company early and play a key role in shaping the technology.

More positions

Please see other positions available at SpaceAM