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SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

NewSpace Systems (Pty) LtdSomerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
30+ days ago
Job description

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, and delivery of mechanical systems and structures that enable the performance and reliability of advanced space products. Operating across both space and ground segments, your work will support the full product lifecycle — from initial concept through to testing, integration, and production.

You will lead mechanical design activities using industry-standard CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools, with particular emphasis on dynamic performance — including vibration, shock, and thermal behaviour. You will also be actively involved in planning, executing, and supporting environmental testing campaigns to validate mechanical integrity and performance under space-representative conditions.

This role sits within a multidisciplinary engineering team, requiring close collaboration with systems, electronics, and manufacturing engineers to ensure that mechanical solutions meet stringent technical, programmatic, and regulatory requirements. All designs are to be developed and maintained in line with internal standards and best practices defined by the Mechanical Engineering division.

As a senior contributor, you are expected to drive technical excellence, mentor junior engineers, and help evolve the design and verification processes to ensure continued innovation and delivery excellence in a demanding spaceflight environment.

KEY TASKS

Mechanical Design & Analysis

  • Develop and document mechanical requirements, concepts, detailed designs, and interfaces using CAD and FEA tools.
  • Design and integrate complex mechanical components and assemblies, with attention to structural integrity, thermal management, and manufacturability.
  • Develop pragmatic, fit-for-purpose mechanical solutions, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
  • Lead and contribute to design reviews, trade studies, and feasibility assessments throughout the project lifecycle.

Verification & Testing

  • Define mechanical verification plans and test procedures in alignment with system requirements.
  • Plan and conduct environmental tests — particularly vibration and thermal — including setup, execution, and documentation of results.
  • Ensure mechanical solutions meet performance, reliability, and qualification standards for both space and ground applications.

    • Project Execution & Delivery

  • Deliver high-quality mechanical designs on time and within scope as part of a cross-functional engineering team.
  • Support project planning and estimation activities in an agile development environment.
  • Monitor and report progress, risks, and technical issues to project stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with internal design processes, product lifecycle management (PLM), and systems engineering standards.

    • Collaboration & Leadership

  • Work closely with systems, electronics, software, and production teams in a collaborative, integrated environment.
  • Provide technical leadership within mechanical work packages, guiding design decisions and best practices.
  • Support process development, tool improvement, and metrics tracking for the mechanical engineering function.
  • Mentor and train junior or product lifecycle engineers as required.

    • Customer & Business Engagement

  • Support customer interactions on technical matters, ensuring clear communication and alignment of expectations.
  • Contribute to technical proposals, statements of work, and concept development for new business opportunities.
  • Represent the company positively in customer-facing roles and contribute to a strong team culture.

    • PREREQUISITES

    QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • B. Eng / B.Sc / B.Tech (Mechanical) with a M. Eng / M.Sc Eng preferable

    • Experience & Knowledge :

  • ≥5 years’ experience within aerospace / defence (some system engineering experience advantageous)
  • Strong CAD capabilities (experience with Solidworks advantageous)
  • Strong FEA capabilities (experience with Ansys advantageous)

    • COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

  • Proactive, self-motivated, and accountable.
  • Strong team player with excellent communication skills.
  • Customer-focused with the ability to influence and align stakeholders.
  • Adaptable and organised; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Committed to high standards of professionalism and engineering integrity.

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