Principal Mechanical Engineer (Launch Vehicle Structures)

Our client is an innovative company that is preparing to launch its proprietary micro-launch vehicle from a home spaceport in Europe. With substantial funding secured and an ambitious mission to revolutionize the space industry, the company is on track to be one of the first operational micro-launch providers in Europe. The company is focused on cutting-edge propulsion technologies, sustainable design practices, and cost-effective satellite deployment solutions. Their work is aimed at transforming the commercial space market, while reducing environmental impact and advancing space exploration.

Role Overview:

As Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the development of structural systems and components for the launch vehicle, with a focus on meeting stringent design, mechanical, and thermal performance requirements. You will oversee the full lifecycle of structural development, from design and analysis to testing and manufacturing, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. This position offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to work on a mission-critical system that will play a key role in the company's successful launch vehicle program.

Key Responsibilities:

Ownership of Structural Requirements: Define and manage system and derived structure requirements, including functional, environmental, and lifecycle considerations.
Coordination of Mechanical Engineering Team: Lead the design team, coordinating activities from the design concept phase to convergence with manufacturing, ensuring proper planning, prioritization, and risk management.
Mechanical and Thermal Analysis: Oversee mechanical and thermal analysis to justify the adequacy of designs, ensuring all structures meet the required performance, safety, and durability standards.
Leadership and Mentorship: Provide leadership to the mechanical analysis team, fostering a collaborative environment and mentoring junior engineers.
Verification Control: Own the verification control document to ensure compliance with structural requirements and support change control processes.
Testing Authority: Oversee the execution of mechanical testing, including structural qualification tests (static, dynamic, shock), and develop qualification test plans, procedures, and reports.
Development Plan Execution: Work closely with the Composite Chief Engineer to plan and execute development testing, including element and sub-component tests.
Support to Quality Gates: Contribute to key milestones such as PDR (Preliminary Design Review), CDR (Critical Design Review), and QR (Qualification Review). Ensure all documentation, including dimensioning load cases, thermal/mechanical analysis, and design justification files, is complete and accurate.
Support Manufacturing and Assembly: Provide technical authority for validation of manufacturing and assembly processes, ensuring all measurements and NCR treatments align with design specifications.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on structural design, analysis, and testing in space, aerospace, or high-reliability industries.
Extensive experience with structural development and analysis, including mechanical and thermal assessments, for complex systems, ideally in launch vehicles or spacecraft.
Proven track record working with industry standards like ECSS, CAA, or EASA.
Proficiency in structural analysis tools such as FEA (Finite Element Analysis), CAD software, and simulation/modeling tools.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and initiatives.
Integrity and professionalism, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with a strong attention to detail.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Prior leadership experience with the ability to mentor and guide engineers.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications:

Proficiency in structural analysis software (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN).
Experience with safety and reliability analysis methodologies.

Security Requirements:

Applicants must be UK or European citizens, or from a country that is a signatory to the MTCR convention. You may be required to undergo a UK BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check, which includes a criminal record check.

Compensation and Benefits:

Competitive salary
Share options in the company.
34 days of paid holiday, including bank and public holidays.
NEST workplace pension.
Cycle-to-Work scheme.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including mortgage advice and health/wellbeing apps.
Group Life Insurance (4x annual salary).
Visa sponsorship and comprehensive relocation assistance, including one month of accommodation in the local area, relocation allowance, and full support with the visa application process.