Senior Mechanical Engineer - Solar Arrays (f/m/d)

• Design, manufacture, assemble, and test breadboards, prototypes, engineering models, flight hardware, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

• Define and execute development and qualification test campaigns, including vibration, shock, deployment and thermal.

• Analyze test results, investigate anomalies, and implement design improvements.

• Coordinate manufacturing activities with internal teams and external suppliers, applying Design for Manufacturing (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles.

• Support rapid prototyping, hands-on experimentation, and continuous improvement of products and engineering methodologies.

• Contribute to technical reviews and multidisciplinary engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle.

Candidate requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, or space hardware development.

• Proven experience developing complex mechanical systems from concept through testing, qualification, and production.

• Strong expertise in CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and structural analysis software (ANSYS, Abaqus, Nastran, or equivalent).

• Excellent understanding of structural mechanics, materials, composites, manufacturing processes, GD&T, and engineering drawing generation.

• Experience designing and executing qualification and verification campaigns for aerospace or high-performance hardware.

• Hands-on experience with manufacturing and prototyping of metal and plastic components using additive manufacturing, CNC machining, milling, turning, laser cutting, and other fabrication techniques.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing constraints, tolerancing, material selection, and process capabilities, with the ability to rapidly transition designs from concept to physical hardware.

• Experience building and testing prototypes, breadboards, engineering models, and development hardware.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to tackle complex and ambiguous engineering challenges.

• Hands-on mentality with a passion for building, testing, and improving hardware.

• Ability to balance technical excellence with pragmatism and execution speed.

• Comfortable operating under pressure while managing multiple technical activities and competing priorities.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary environments.

• Fluent in English.

• Eligible to work in Germany.

Nice to have requirements

• Familiarity with Python and engineering data analysis is desirable.

• Experience with deployable structures, space mechanisms, solar arrays, antenna systems, or other lightweight aerospace structures is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with ECSS, ESA, NASA, or equivalent aerospace development and qualification standards is highly desirable.

• Appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity in industrial/mechanical applications   

• Experience with Arduino and Raspberry Pi  

• Coding in Python  

• You're likely someone who enjoys designing things on your own time, including 3D printing, welding, grinding, and machining.