Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

MDA Space

Harwell, Stevenage or Manchester, United Kingdom

Responsibilities:

• Develop detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings using Siemens NX, setting the standard for quality and technical rigour across the team.
• Lead the design of mechanical components and assemblies for satellite subsystems, electronic units, and spaceborne instruments, taking ownership from concept through to delivery.
• Produce and review high-quality engineering drawings in compliance with ISO and ECSS standards.
• Perform and lead tolerance analyses, driving robust and manufacturable design solutions.
• Own configuration control and documentation, ensuring compliance with established engineering processes and contributing to their improvement.
• Act as a key interface with multidisciplinary teams including structural, thermal, and systems engineers, providing mechanical leadership across programmes.
• Lead or co-lead design reviews including PDR, CDR, and TRR, and support junior engineers in preparing for these milestones.
• Ensure compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and internal procedures, and support others in doing the same.
• Drive continuous improvement of mechanical design processes, guidelines, and best practices across the team.
• Support multiple programmes simultaneously, including optical and telecom payloads.
• When acting as Mechanical Project Team Lead: take responsibility for delivering all mechanical work packages on a programme, coordinating and aligning the efforts of Thermal, Structural, and Design engineers to meet schedule, quality, and technical requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in mechanical design within the aerospace, space, or defence industry.
• Proven expertise in Siemens NX (3D modelling and drafting); SolidWorks experience also considered.
• Strong command of mechanical design principles, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Demonstrable experience designing precision-machined components and assemblies for flight or high-integrity applications.
• Ability to produce and review high-quality technical drawings and documentation to a release standard.
• Strong communication skills and proven ability to operate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid experience in the space industry with working knowledge of ECSS standards.
• Experience in the design of electronic enclosures and spaceborne equipment.
• Knowledge of aluminium structures and thermal design considerations.
• Familiarity with environmental requirements including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum.
• Sound understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Experience working within a regulated or safety-critical engineering environment.
• Previous experience coordinating or leading a team of engineers, formally or informally.

Suitable candidates will ideally have the following attributes:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to make and defend engineering decisions.
• High attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
• Able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative without close oversight.
• Proactive and adaptable in a fast-paced environment, comfortable with ambiguity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the credibility to influence across disciplines.
• A natural collaborator who can bring a team together around a common technical goal.