Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Reports to Mechanical Design & Analysis Functional Manager

Key Purpose of Job

SSTL are looking for motivated and dynamic Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to help shape and influence the current and future flight spacecraft structures. You will be responsible for the design of new structural developments and help oversee sub-systems integration from concepts through to testing and flight. The role will include mechanical design, work package management, integration and support activities.

You will work closely with project managers, system engineers, manufacturing and mechanical analysts.

Key Tasks

• Design of spacecraft components, assemblies and systems to fulfil customer and project requirements using 3D modelling tools and techniques

• Design of Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) for the assembly, handling, and test of spacecraft equipment.

• Design of electronics enclosures through close liaison with the electrical design team to ensure compatibility with Printed Circuit Assemblies (PCAs).

• Implementation of design changes using Engineering Change Notes (ECNs).

• Close working relationships with mechanical analysts, project managers, system engineers and manufacturing disciplines.

• Management of mechanical Work Packages and responsibility for estimating own schedule & budgets.

• Leading and supporting key team and project milestone reviews.

• Completion of manufacturing drawings to enable component procurement and support of manufacturing activities and inspections

• Technical Report writing.

• Writing detailed assembly procedures and technical build information

• Undertake build activities for mechanical hardware in clean room facilities

• Creating and maintaining build logs

• Creating BoM’s and managing procurement demand through the company Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility and willingness to support other teams/ disciplines within the department in areas such as Propulsion, Mechanisms and Optical Instruments

• Flexibility to support at more than one site on occasion

PERSON SPECIFICATION (essential requirements)

Nationality • Eligible to live and work in the UK and gain security clearance up to SC level

Qualifications

• A good degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Experience

• Relevant experience, preferably in the space industry although this is not essential.

• Practical experience in the support of mechanical build and testing activities is an advantage

Knowledge & Skills

• Competent use of leading CAD packages (Solid Works (preferred), Solid Edge or Similar) and familiarity with MRP systems

• Specifying/ identifying appropriate materials, surface treatments and finishes for mechanical component design in aerospace applications

• Understanding of Finite Element Analysis and ability to perform basic analysis of secondary structure desirable but not essential

• Understanding of Spacecraft Systems an advantage

• Understanding of production and manufacturing methods

• Competent use of Microsoft Office suite including Outlook

• Good communication skills and the ability to generate technical documentation

• Good task management, team working and presentation skills

• Good practical skills with assembly and integration experience

• Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and to tight timescales

• Experience of PDM, sign off and drawing release