Mechanical Engineer, Space and Defence FSO Systems

Join an innovative technology company as a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Space and Defence FSO Systems. You will be responsible for the design and development of high-precision opto-mechanical systems for Free-Space Optical communication products. Your role will involve working closely with the Lead Opto-Mechanical Architect and taking ownership of defined subsystems throughout their full development lifecycle. You will also collaborate with various engineering teams and support environmental testing campaigns.

Contribuer à la conception et au développement de systèmes opto-mécaniques de haute précision pour des produits de communication optique en espace et en défense.

Responsibilities

• Prendre la responsabilité directe des sous-systèmes définis tout au long de leur cycle de vie de développement, de la conception initiale à la fabrication.
• Travailler en étroite collaboration avec l'architecte opto-mécanique principal pour assurer l'alignement optique, la résistance aux environnements de lancement et de fonctionnement.
• Space Experience: Previous experience with space qualified hardware is essential. You understand the constraints associated with vacuum, thermal cycling, launch loads, material selection, contamination control, outgassing and cleanliness requirements.
• Experience with opto-mechanical design, optical benches, precision housings, kinematic and isostatic mounting strategies.
• Solid knowledge of precision mechanisms, bearings, preload design, actuation, encoders and cable management.
• Ability to specify, perform, steer or challenge FEA, including structural, modal, vibration and thermo-elastic analyses. Familiarity with SimScale, ANSYS, Nastran or equivalent tools is appreciated.
• Practical experience in thermal design and thermal modelling, including heater sizing, thermal interfaces, athermalisation and test correlation.
• Understanding of micro-vibration, line-of-sight stability and their impact on precision optical payloads.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree or Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.
• Professional Background: Demonstrable experience taking mechanical hardware from CAD design through fabrication, assembly, integration and testing in a demanding industrial environment.

Technical Expertise

• Strong proficiency in a professional parametric CAD environment, ideally SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX or equivalent.
• Excellent command of mechanical drawings, fabrication documentation and GD&T.
• Experience with vacuum-compatible tribology, lubrication selection, materials and process assurance for space applications.
• Mindset: You combine analytical rigour with a hands-on engineering approach. You are comfortable moving between CAD, analysis reviews, supplier discussions and test facilities, and you enjoy solving complex problems at the interface of mechanics, optics and thermal engineering.
• English: Professional working proficiency in English, with the ability to write technical documentation and communicate effectively with international suppliers, partners and engineering teams.

Preferred

• Qualification & Test: Experience supporting or leading hardware through environmental test campaigns, particularly vibration and thermal-vacuum testing. You are comfortable investigating anomalies and contributing to qualification and justification files.
• Relevant Industry Experience: Experience in space systems, defence, precision instrumentation, optical payloads, laser communication terminals or other high-reliability mechatronic systems would be highly valued.

Pay

EUR 40,000 - 60,000