Mechanical Design Engineer

microTECH Global LTD; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

microTECH Global LTD is seeking a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to create satellite hardware, from secondary structures to thermal hardware, in a tight multidisciplinary team.

You will manage large 3D CAD assemblies, BOMs and ECO/ECR/ECN processes, ensuring interfaces stay aligned as changes flow through the project. Strong GD&T and manufacturing-focused design experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years' experience in mechanical design of aerospace, space or other high-reliability hardware, with strong 3D CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred; CATIA, NX or Creo also considered).
• Practical application of GD&T and experience producing manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Solid grounding in mechanical design principles, materials and thermal management, with a working understanding of structural mechanics.
• Demonstrated ability to design, build and test hardware, including troubleshooting and iteration.
• Clear communicator who is comfortable explaining and defending design decisions, and open to feedback and challenge in a fast-moving team.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical hardware for the satellite, including secondary structures (panels, brackets and component mounts), thermal-control hardware, cable and harness routing, and mechanisms.
• Work in the satellite's large 3D CAD assembly alongside the wider design team, using top-down design and skeleton models to keep interfaces, configurations and revisions in step as several designers work in the same model.
• Manage assembly configuration, PLM data (3DEXPERIENCE ('3DX') or similar), bills of materials and engineering change control (ECO/ECR/ECN), so that models, drawings and interfaces stay consistent as changes are released.
• Run interference and clash checks and maintain the digital mock-up, working with each subsystem owner to allocate space and resolve conflicts.
• Produce fully dimensioned, manufacturing-ready drawings and interface control documents using GD&T.
• Support design reviews (PDR and CDR) and qualification, working with structural and thermal engineers on analysis and verification planning.
• Optimise designs for manufacturability, cost, mass and reliability, working directly with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Support prototype builds, 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.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

Thermal management

Aerospace hardware design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Creo

3DEXPERIENCE

PDM/PLM

Job description

You will design satellite structure and hardware, and help keep the satellite's full CAD assembly organised and under control as the design matures. Working within a small, multidisciplinary team, you will translate requirements into manufacturable designs and support their validation through prototyping and environmental testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical hardware for the satellite, including secondary structures (panels, brackets and component mounts), thermal-control hardware, cable and harness routing, and mechanisms. Primary structure experience is welcome.
• Work in the satellite's large 3D CAD assembly alongside the wider design team, using top-down design and skeleton models to keep interfaces, configurations and revisions in step as several designers work in the same model.
• Manage assembly configuration, PLM data (3DEXPERIENCE ('3DX') or similar), bills of materials and engineering change control (ECO/ECR/ECN), so that models, drawings and interfaces stay consistent as changes are released.
• Run interference and clash checks and maintain the digital mock-up, working with each subsystem owner to allocate space and resolve conflicts.
• Produce fully dimensioned, manufacturing-ready drawings and interface control documents using GD&T.
• Support design reviews (PDR and CDR) and qualification, working with structural and thermal engineers on analysis and verification planning.
• Optimise designs for manufacturability, cost, mass and reliability, working directly with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Support prototype builds, 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 a related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years' experience in mechanical design of aerospace, space or other high-reliability hardware, with strong 3D CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred; CATIA, NX or Creo also considered).
• Practical application of GD&T and experience producing manufacturing-ready drawings.
• Solid grounding in mechanical design principles, materials and thermal management, with a working understanding of structural mechanics.
• Demonstrated ability to design, build and test hardware, including troubleshooting and iteration.
• Clear communicator who is comfortable explaining and defending design decisions, and open to feedback and challenge in a fast-moving team.

Preferred Experience

• Satellite or spacecraft design, ideally detailed design of secondary structures (panel and component mounting, thermal hardware, cable and harness routing). Primary structure experience is a plus.
• Experience working in large, multi-person CAD assemblies, including top-down design, skeleton or master models, in-context references and configurations.
• Experience with PLM or PDM systems (for example 3DEXPERIENCE ('3DX'), Windchill, Teamcenter, ENOVIA or SolidWorks PDM), configuration management, revision control and formal change processes (ECO/ECR/ECN).
• Experience working within formal engineering processes, such as design reviews, documented requirements and standards.
• Hardware that has launched.
• Basic FEA familiarity, MGSE or ground-support equipment design, and electromechanical packaging.