Mechanical Systems Engineer

Magdrive Ltd; Harwell; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Flexible working hours

Home office setup support

25 days annual leave

Parental leave policy

Job summary

Magdrive Ltd is hiring a Mechanical Systems Engineer to focus on the mechanical integration of thruster assemblies, ensuring integration-ready hardware and clean interfaces for flight campaigns.

You will bridge mechanical, electrical and manufacturing disciplines, turning advanced concepts into flight-ready hardware while ensuring interfaces, test fixtures, and environmental requirements are met in a evolving aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Degree (BEng/MEng/MSc) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar.
• 3–5 years' experience developing space or high-performance mechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks) and structured engineering workflows.
• Strong communication with multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design thruster structural components and enable flight hardware integration.
• Ensure clash-free integration of mechanical and electrical hardware.
• Support the transition from R&D prototypes to flight release under aerospace standards.
• Support mechanical test campaigns and tooling configurations.
• Incorporate MAIT feedback and NCRs to resolve assembly issues.
• Define and verify mechanical interfaces to the spacecraft, including mounting and load paths.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

Cross-functional communication

Education

BEng/MEng/MSc in Mechanical or Aerospace

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

About Magdrive

Magdrive is developing the next generation of spacecraft propulsion. Our cutting-edge thruster technology promises to deliver unmatched thrust and efficiency, enabling accessibility to new orbits and entirely new industries such as satellite servicing, orbital assembly, and interplanetary transport . We are also starting to develop recycling & refuelling approaches for future spacecraft propulsion.

About the role

Magdrive is transitioning from rapid R&D development to repeatable, flight-ready propulsion systems. We are hiring a Mechanical Systems Engineer to focus on the mechanical integration of our thruster assemblies, ensuring mechanical structures, components, and electrical hardware are packaged coherently within a compact, flight‑ready system. This role sits at the interface between mechanical, electrical and manufacturing disciplines and is central to turning complex propulsion hardware into buildable assemblies.

You will take responsibility for turning advanced R&D concepts into mechanically mature, integration-ready hardware. Acting as the mechanical integration authority for the thruster, you will ensure all electrical, structural, thermal, and manufacturing interfaces align cleanly, eliminate clashes before integration, and drive the mechanical readiness required to support qualification campaigns and flight missions.

What you'll be doing

• Design thruster structural components and support mechanical integration from concept through flight hardware.
• Ensure coherent, clash‑free integration of mechanical and electrical hardware, including structures, components, and PCBs.
• Support the transition of designs from R&D prototypes to flight release, ensuring compliance with environmental and mechanical requirements.
• Support mechanical aspects of environmental and functional test campaigns, including test configurations and fixtures.
• Incorporate MAIT feedback and NCRs to resolve recurring assembly, test and integration issues at design source.
• Support definition and verification of mechanical interfaces to the spacecraft, including mounting, alignment, and load paths.

What we're looking for

Essential

• A degree (BEng/MEng/MSc) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar discipline.
• 3-5 years' of experience developing space or high-performance mechanical hardware.
• Proficiency in professional 3D CAD (e.g. SolidWorks) and structured engineering workflows.
• Strong communication with multi-disciplinary teams to align on solutions.

Desirable

• Experience supporting environmental test campaigns.
• Experience with electric propulsion, plasma systems or high-voltage hardware.
• Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace standards.
• Experience applying and improving mechanical standards within a growing engineering organisation.
• Experience with configuration control and change management processes.
• Exposure to ISO9001 or AS9100 environments.
• Experience contributing to a flight hardware subsystem within a multidisciplinary team.

What we offer

• Salary: £45k– £55k per annum (DOE)
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave + long-service awards
• Private medical insurance
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working
• Financial support for home office setup
• Generous parental leave policy

This role will close on 6th November 2026. Applications made after this date may not be considered.

Magdrive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.