Mechanisms Engineer - Solar Arrays

Mechanisms Engineer - Solar Arrays

DCUBED

Germering, Germany

About the role

In space, there are no second chances.

As Mechanisms Engineer – Solar Arrays (f/m/d), you will be responsible for the deployment systems at the heart of dcubed's solar arrays. You will design, prototype, test, and qualify the hardware that allows spacecraft to generate power once they reach orbit.

We are looking for an engineer with a builder's mindset: someone who can move seamlessly from CAD models and FEM analyses to the workshop and test lab, turning ambitious ideas into reliable flight hardware. If you are motivated by ownership, speed, and the challenge of making space mechanisms work where repair is impossible, you'll fit right in.

Responsibilities

• Mechanism Design & Development: Design, analyze, and develop space-qualified deployment mechanisms and motion systems for Solar Array products, from concept through flight hardware delivery.
• Technical Expertise: Provide expert guidance on mechanism design, materials selection, lubrication, coatings, thermal effects, motorization margins, tolerancing, and reliability for space applications.
• Manufacturing & Prototyping: Apply Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles, generate production-ready technical drawings, and support rapid prototyping and manufacturing activities using additive manufacturing and conventional machining techniques.
• System Integration: Ensure seamless integration of mechanisms with structural, electrical, and deployment subsystems while balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Testing & Qualification: Define, support, and execute development, qualification, and acceptance test campaigns, including deployment, vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, and lifetime testing.
• Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Investigate anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement design improvements to enhance mechanism performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Documentation: Maintain engineering documentation including CAD models, technical drawings, specifications, analyses, test procedures, and qualification reports.

Candidate requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanism design, aerospace engineering, precision mechanical systems, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of space mechanisms, including bearings, gears, springs, hinges, release systems, lubrication, coatings, wear mechanisms, thermal effects, and motorization sizing and margins.
• Expert-level CAD proficiency (SolidWorks preferred) and familiarity with FEM tools (ANSYS preferred).
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, GD&T, tolerancing, and technical drawing generation.
• Experience applying Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping and fabrication methods including 3D printing, milling, turning, laser cutting, CNC machining, and hardware assembly.
• Familiarity with space qualification methods and standards, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, deployment, and lifetime testing.
• Knowledge of ECSS, NASA, or equivalent aerospace standards is highly desirable.
• Fluent English skills.
• Eligibility to work in Germany.