Mechanical Designer

Key Responsibilities:

Subsystem Development & Ownership 

• Lead the development of spacecraft mechanical subsystems from concept through flight qualification and successful transition into production 

• Own subsystem-level mechanical development activities including mechanical design, structural analysis, thermal analysis, integration, verification, testing, and qualification 

• Drive technical trade studies and design decisions using first-principles engineering, simulation, testing, and sound engineering judgment 

• Balance subsystem performance, mass, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost objectives throughout development 

• Demonstrate compliance with subsystem requirements through analysis, testing, and documented margins of safety 

Analysis, Verification & Risk Reduction 

• Develop and maintain structural and thermal models used to predict hardware performance and guide design decisions 

• Define verification strategies and success criteria aligned with system requirements and mission objectives 

• Plan and execute prototype builds, environmental testing, and qualification campaigns to reduce technical risk and validate design performance. 

• Correlate simulation results with physical testing to continuously improve model fidelity and engineering confidence 

• Lead root-cause investigations and drive complex technical issues through to resolution. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with systems, RF, electrical, software, manufacturing, supply chain, AIT, and mission operations teams to develop integrated spacecraft solutions 

• Facilitate technical discussions across disciplines, clearly communicating design intent, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations 

• Coordinate subsystem activities across stakeholders to ensure successful integration, verification, and delivery 

Engineering Excellence 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes, design methodologies, analysis approaches, and verification practices 

• Act as a peer reviewer, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership within project teams 

• Promote a culture of technical rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. 

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent 

• 5+ years of experience developing mechanical systems from concept through validation 

• Strong understanding of structural mechanics, heat transfer, dynamics, mechanical design, and hardware integration. 

• Experience performing structural and thermal analyses supported by simulation and physical testing. 

• Experience with one or more CAD platforms such as Onshape, Creo, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent. 

• Understanding of design for manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test principles. 

• Strong communication and documentation skills working within multidisciplinary engineering teams. 

• Comfortable operating in a hands-on development environment involving prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware development. 

Bonus Points:

• Experience developing spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, or other mission-critical hardware. 

• Experience with Simcenter 3D, Simcenter/NX NASTRAN, Simcenter Space Systems Thermal, or equivalent analysis tools. 

• Experience leading subsystem-level qualification and verification activities. 

• Familiarity with ESA ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace structural, thermal, and design standards. 

• Experience supporting hardware transition from development into production. 

• Eligibility for Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licensure in a Canadian jurisdiction.