Lead Mechanical Engineer

ZipRecruiter; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering space-based drug manufacturing company is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer in London. You will develop quality assurance frameworks and perform hands-on assembly for space pharmaceutical manufacturing systems. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3-5 years of experience in related fields. Join a team innovating in space manufacturing, where precision and quality are paramount.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in hands-on assembly, quality assurance, or related technical role.
• Demonstrated ability to work with precision tools, measurement equipment, and assembly fixtures.
• Practical experience with mechanical assembly and quality control projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality assurance processes and inspection methods.
• Create and maintain assembly procedures and process documentation.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.

Skills

Quality assurance operations

Mechanical assembly

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Communication and collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3DExperience

Teamcenter

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer - London

BioOrbit is pioneering space-based drug manufacturing. We use microgravity to grow high-quality protein crystals, enabling easier, at-home injectable therapies. As part of our recent success we are looking to grow our team.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer with expertise in quality assurance and precision assembly to ensure the highest standards for revolutionary in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing systems. This role combines rigorous quality engineering with hands-on assembly expertise to build and validate mechanical systems that must operate flawlessly in the demanding space environment while maintaining pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards.

You will be responsible for developing comprehensive quality assurance frameworks, leading precision assembly operations, and ensuring every mechanical component meets the stringent requirements for both space qualification and pharmaceutical compliance. This position offers the unique opportunity to establish quality standards for an entirely new industry—space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing—where precision, reliability, and contamination control are absolutely critical to mission success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality assurance processes, inspection methods, and testing protocols to ensure compliance of spacecraft mechanical systems with design and industry standards.
• Create and maintain assembly procedures, work instructions, and process documentation in line with ECSS standards.
• Devise and execute robust inspection and quality control strategies for mechanical hardware.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, driving improvements in manufacturing quality, delivery performance, and compliance.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, identifying and acting on opportunities to enhance engineering processes.
• Provide hands-on support for mechanical assembly, testing, and integration activities.
• Actively contribute to design reviews, technical meetings, and cross-functional discussions.

Technical Skills + Core Competencies

• Working knowledge of quality assurance operations, such as part inspection, equipment calibration, functional testing, and component qualification for space hardware.
• Experienced in producing technical documentation, including design reports, BoMs, operations manuals, and test reports.
• Proficient in the use of PLM tools such as 3DExperience and Teamcenter.
• Solid understanding of mechanical principles such as material properties, torque specifications, thermal control systems etc.
• Hands-on experience in Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) campaigns for spacecraft, including a good knowledge of cleanroom procedures.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards for space hardware quality assurance and assembly.
• Skilled in the use of mechanical tools, fixtures, and assembly equipment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with a proven track record of effective collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in hands-on assembly, quality assurance, testing, or related technical role.
• Practical experience with mechanical assembly, integration testing, and quality control projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work with precision tools, measurement equipment, and assembly fixtures.
• Preference for candidates with space systems or satellite assembly and testing experience.
• Knowledge of ECSS quality standards (ECSS-Q-ST-70C, ECSS-Q-ST-60C) and hands-on fabrication skills .

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that is at the forefront of innovation and pushing the boundaries of in space manufacturing.

If you feel this role is of interest, please apply and one of the team from Innoforge will be in touch.