Senior Mechanical Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d)

About the role

The future of space will be powered by larger, more capable, and more ambitious spacecraft. Building them requires technologies that do not yet exist today.

As Senior Mechanical Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d) , you will work at the forefront of our R&D activities, developing the structures, mechanisms, and deployment systems that will enable the next generation of high-power space platforms. You will turn new concepts into reality through design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and rapid iteration, helping mature breakthrough technologies from early research to flight-qualified products.

Working in a hands-on and fast-paced environment, you will contribute directly to both technology development and customer missions, solving complex engineering challenges and validating new ideas through hardware. If you are motivated by creating things that have never been built before and want to see your work evolve from a sketch on a whiteboard to hardware operating in space, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and develop advanced space structures, deployable systems, and mechanical subsystems.

• Perform engineering trade studies and contribute to the definition of structural and mechanical architectures for new products and technologies.

• Create CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

• Perform structural and mechanical analyses using analytical methods and FEM tools to verify performance and compliance.

• Design, manufacture, assemble, and test breadboards, prototypes, engineering models, flight hardware, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

• Define and execute development and qualification test campaigns, including vibration, shock, deployment and thermal.

• Analyze test results, investigate anomalies, and implement design improvements.

• Coordinate manufacturing activities with internal teams and external suppliers, applying Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles.

• Support rapid prototyping, hands-on experimentation, and continuous improvement of products and engineering methodologies.

• Contribute to technical reviews and multidisciplinary engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle.

Candidate requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, or space hardware development.

• Proven experience developing complex mechanical systems from concept through testing, qualification, and production.

• Strong expertise in CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and structural analysis software (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or equivalent).

• Excellent understanding of structural mechanics, materials, composites, manufacturing processes, GD&T, and engineering drawing generation.

• Experience designing and executing qualification and verification campaigns for aerospace or high-performance hardware.

• Hands-on experience with manufacturing and prototyping of metal and plastic components using additive manufacturing, CNC machining, milling, turning, laser cutting, and other fabrication techniques.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing constraints, tolerancing, material selection, and process capabilities, with the ability to rapidly transition designs from concept to physical hardware.

• Experience building and testing prototypes, breadboards, engineering models, and development hardware.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to tackle complex and ambiguous engineering challenges.

• Hands-on mentality with a passion for building, testing, and improving hardware.

• Ability to balance technical excellence with pragmatism and execution speed.

• Comfortable operating under pressure while managing multiple technical activities and competing priorities.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary environments.

• Fluent in English.

• Eligible to work in Germany.

Nice to have requirements

• Familiarity with Python and engineering data analysis is desirable.

• Experience with deployable structures, space mechanisms, solar arrays, antenna systems, or other lightweight aerospace structures is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with ECSS, ESA, NASA, or equivalent aerospace development and qualification standards is highly desirable.

• Appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity in industrial/mechanical applications

• Experience with Arduino and Raspberry Pi

• Coding in Python

• You're likely someone who enjoys designing things on your own time, including 3D printing, welding, grinding, and machining.