Mechnical Design Engineer

Owen Daniels; Sonning; On-site; GBP 101,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare including dental &

Equity opportunity

Hybrid working arrangement

Job summary

Owen Daniels is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a UK-based space systems company. The role covers the full lifecycle of satellite hardware from concept through qualification, launch, and in-orbit operation within a collaborative multidisciplinary team.

You will design satellite structures, mechanisms and thermal hardware, leading engineering reviews and delivering manufacturing-ready drawings using GD&T. A background in space aerospace and SolidWorks is essential.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least five years' experience designing mechanical systems within space/aerospace.
• Experience designing satellite structures, payloads, launch vehicle hardware, or ground support equipment.
• Strong SolidWorks (or equivalent CAD) experience.
• Excellent knowledge of GD&T and producing manufacturing-ready engineering drawings.
• Experience applying structural analysis, material selection, FEA and thermal design principles.
• Hands‑on experience developing, building, testing and refining mechanical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop satellite mechanical systems including primary structures, secondary structures, thermal hardware and deployment mechanisms.
• Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, detailed manufacturing drawings and engineering documentation using GD&T principles.
• Take products through the full engineering lifecycle, from concept and detailed design through qualification testing and operational deployment.
• Lead and participate in technical design reviews and verification activities.
• Optimise designs for mass, manufacturability, cost, reliability and performance.
• Support prototype manufacture, assembly, integration and environmental testing, implementing design improvements based on test results.
• Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure successful production and delivery.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to successfully integrate mechanical systems into complete spacecraft.

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

FEA

Thermal design

3D CAD

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Space Systems (6 Month Contract – Outside IR35)

I'm currently supporting an innovative UK-based space technology company that is pushing the boundaries of satellite engineering. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team developing next-generation satellite platforms designed to challenge conventional approaches to low Earth orbit operations.

This role offers the chance to work on the complete lifecycle of cutting-edge space hardware, from initial concept through to qualification, launch, and in-orbit operation, within a collaborative multidisciplinary engineering environment.

The Role

As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and development of satellite structures, mechanisms, and associated hardware. You'll work closely with systems, electrical, software, thermal and manufacturing engineers to deliver innovative mechanical solutions for advanced spacecraft.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop satellite mechanical systems including primary structures, secondary structures, thermal hardware and deployment mechanisms.
• Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, detailed manufacturing drawings and engineering documentation using GD&T principles.
• Take products through the full engineering lifecycle, from concept and detailed design through qualification testing and operational deployment.
• Lead and participate in technical design reviews and verification activities.
• Optimise designs for mass, manufacturability, cost, reliability and performance.
• Support prototype manufacture, assembly, integration and environmental testing, implementing design improvements based on test results.
• Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure successful production and delivery.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to successfully integrate mechanical systems into complete spacecraft.

About You

You’ll ideally have:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
• At least five years' experience designing mechanical systems within the space or aerospace sector.
• Experience designing satellite structures, payloads, launch vehicle hardware, electromechanical systems or ground support equipment.
• Strong SolidWorks (or equivalent CAD) experience.
• Excellent knowledge of GD&T and producing manufacturing-ready engineering drawings.
• Experience applying structural analysis, material selection, FEA and thermal design principles.
• Hands‑on experience developing, building, testing and refining mechanical hardware.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on genuinely pioneering space technology.
• Ownership of projects across the full product lifecycle.
• Competitive salary with an equity opportunity.
• Private healthcare including dental and optical cover.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• The opportunity to join an ambitious engineering team developing technology that will shape the future of satellite communications.