Mechanical & Thermal Engineer

Lúnasa Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based NewSpace company is looking for a Mechanical and Thermal Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and development of spacecraft structures and thermal systems. This role involves working closely with various teams and making critical design decisions in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have strong backgrounds in mechanical and thermal engineering, experience with CAD design, and proficiency in relevant analysis tools. The role is office-based in London and requires eligibility for UK national security clearance.

Qualifications

• Strong background in spacecraft mechanical and thermal engineering.
• Proven experience in mechanical design of space hardware.
• Solid understanding of thermal control systems and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of spacecraft structures.
• Work closely with systems, avionics, and AIT teams.
• Make critical design decisions and solve complex engineering challenges.

Skills

Mechanical and thermal engineering

Mechanical design of space hardware

Thermal control systems

FEA and thermal analysis tools

CAD design proficiency

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving under constraints

Clear communication

Tools

ANSYS

Nastran

Thermal Desktop

ESATAN

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Job description

Lúnasa is a UK-based NewSpace company (acquired by Infinite Orbits) building advanced and autonomous systems and satellites for in‑orbit satellite services. Our mission is to provide geostationary operators with all the in‑orbit services they need, from the inspection of their assets to the extension of their lifespan and the management of the end‑of‑life phase.

Location: London (on‑site)
This position is for a candidate who has the right to work in the UK.
The applicant must be able to obtain UK national security clearance.

Job Summary

In this role, as a Mechanical and Thermal Engineer, you will lead the design, analysis, and development of spacecraft structures and thermal systems across the full lifecycle, from early trade studies and preliminary design through detailed design, manufacturing, and verification. You will work closely with systems, avionics, and AIT teams to ensure robust, flight‑ready hardware, and play a key role during integration, testing, and delivery.

This is a hands‑on, high‑ownership role in a fast‑paced environment. You will be expected to make critical design decisions, solve complex engineering challenges, and directly contribute to hardware that will operate in orbit. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across disciplines, thrives in ambiguity, and is motivated by building real space systems end‑to‑end.

Key Skills and Experience

• Strong background in spacecraft mechanical and thermal engineering, with hands‑on experience across the full lifecycle (concept → design → build → test)
• Proven experience in mechanical design of space hardware, including structures, mechanisms, and/or payload integration
• Solid understanding of thermal control systems (passive and active), including thermal modelling and analysis
• Experience with FEA and thermal analysis tools (e.g. ANSYS, Nastran, Thermal Desktop, ESATAN, or similar)
• Proficiency in CAD design (e.g. SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar), including manufacturing‑ready drawings and assemblies
• End‑to‑end ownership mindset: able to take a subsystem from early concept through to flight hardware
• Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate requirements into robust engineering solutions
• Comfortable operating with high autonomy and responsibility in an evolving environment
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, especially under constraints and ambiguity
• Clear and structured communication, both written and verbal