Lead Mechanical Engineer

ALTEN; Leiden; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Nederland in Leiden hosts a Station Lead role overseeing the drilling, alignment and assembly of large aluminium panels on a multi-meter cylindrical structure for aerospace applications. You will ensure launch-critical integrity and act as technical reference for the team.

You will train and mentor technicians, interpret drawings and tolerances, and collaborate with engineering to optimize processes while upholding strict safety and quality standards in a high-precision environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in heavy mechanical assembly or structural fabrication.
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings, tolerances and precision assembly.
• Proven mentoring, coaching, or leadership experience in a shopfloor environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead drilling, alignment, and assembly of large aluminium structural panels onto the cylinder.
• Coordinate workflow, manage assembly sequences, and ensure aerospace quality standards.
• Train, coach, and mentor junior technicians, ensuring onboarding and skill development.
• Perform visual and dimensional inspections and verify conformity at every step.
• Identify defects, propose corrective actions, and maintain traceability and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimize processes.
• Uphold safety, quality, and cleanliness standards within the station.

Skills

Leadership

Heavy mechanical assembly

Technical drawings

Mentoring/Coaching

Safety conscious

Job description

Station Lead – Cylinder Panel Assembly (Aerospace Structures)

Join a high‑precision aerospace manufacturing environment where large structural components for launch systems are built with exceptional accuracy. This station assembles a massive cylindrical structure (over 5 meters high) made from multiple large aluminium panels. As the Station Lead, you will oversee drilling, alignment, and assembly operations, ensuring structural integrity for launch‑critical hardware. You will act as the technical reference point for the team and play a key role in training and guiding junior technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the drilling, alignment, and assembly of large aluminium structural panels onto a multi‑meter cylinder.
• Coordinate workflow, manage assembly sequences, and ensure station output meets aerospace quality standards.
• Train, coach, and mentor junior technicians, ensuring proper onboarding and skill development.
• Perform detailed visual and dimensional inspections and verify conformity at every step.
• Identify defects, propose corrective actions, and maintain full traceability and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimize processes.
• Uphold strict safety, quality, and cleanliness standards within the station.

Profile

• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in heavy mechanical assembly or structural fabrication.
• Proven ability to handle large components and perform physically demanding work.
• Strong mastery of technical drawings, tolerances, and precision assembly.
• Previous mentoring, coaching, or leadership experience in a shopfloor environment.
• High sense of responsibility, safety awareness, and quality mindset.
• No formal education required.

About ALTEN

ALTEN is a global leader in engineering and technology consulting, supporting top-tier clients in their innovation and R&D strategies. With over 57,000 employees in more than 30 countries, we operate across diverse sectors such as aerospace, automotive, telecom, finance, energy, and life sciences.

ALTEN Nederland is a key entity within the ALTEN Group, with offices in Eindhoven, Capelle aan den IJssel, Apeldoorn, Groeningen and Amstelveen. Our 550+ consultants deliver high-value solutions in Technology and IT. For over 20 years in the Netherlands, we have contributed to impactful projects in high-tech, defence, transport, telecom, and finance, supporting companies in their technological transformation.