At GalaxEye Space, we are pioneering the next generation of Earth observation solutions with our cutting-edge satellite technology. As a fast-growing space-tech startup, our mission is to revolutionise the way we gather, process, and deliver geospatial intelligence. In this journey, We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and validation of structures for phased array antenna systems for a space-borne SAR mission, from concept through flight qualification. The role requires to lead the structures team across both mechanical and thermal disciplines , set the technical direction, own the analysis and design standards, and act as a mentor and technical guide to a team of mid- and junior-level engineers. Join us to become a part of an agile, high-impact team working at the forefront of space innovation.
Responsibilities
Technical leadership
- Lead the structures team across the full mechanical and thermal scope of the SAR antenna: structural, thermal, thermal-structural, and dynamic analysis and design.
- Set and own the analysis approach and standards — modelling conventions, load-case definition, margin philosophy, and what constitutes a defensible result.
- Make and defend the key architecture and design decisions: panel construction, material selection, interface and mounting design, and the thermal/structural trades that shape them.
- Own the structural and thermal integrity of the antenna through the design lifecycle, from concept and hand-calculation studies to detailed FE and test correlation.
Analysis and design oversight
- Review and direct thermal, structural, and coupled thermal-structural analyses — transient TRM burst loads, orbital cyclic thermal environments, CTE-mismatch and bonded-interface problems, modal and dynamic response.
- Ensure FE results are backed by first-order reasoning; challenge model outputs that aren't physical and set the expectation that analysis is validated, not just produced.
- Guide idealisation choices (element selection, rigid vs. flexible bodies, contact and connection modelling) and their implications for both thermal and structural fidelity.
- Own verification strategy — analysis, test, and correlation — and the associated documentation for design reviews.
Leadership and mentorship
- Act as technical mentor and guide to mid- and junior-level thermal and structural engineers — grow their judgement, not just their tool skills.
- Plan and allocate analysis work across the team, balance workload, and hold technical quality.
- Represent the structures discipline in multidisciplinary reviews and interfaces with RF, manufacturing, systems, and the customer.
- Contribute to proposals, planning, and capability-building for the team.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's (Master's or higher preferred) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of mechanical/structural engineering experience, with substantial spacecraft, aerospace, or defence content.
- Demonstrated breadth across both structural and thermal engineering — not solely one or the other — with the depth to lead and review both.
- Strong track record of ownership: leading the structural/thermal design of hardware from concept through to verification.
- Deep grounding in structural mechanics and heat transfer fundamentals, and the ability to reason from first principles and back up FE with hand calculations.
- Extensive FE experience — Simcenter 3D / Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent — across structural, thermal, thermal-structural, and dynamic analysis.
- Proven experience mentoring engineers and leading technical teams or work packages.
- Excellent technical communication — able to defend decisions in reviews and explain them to non-specialists.
Benefits
- Opportunity to own the antenna architecture for an advanced spaceborne SAR mission from first principles through flight qualification.
- Work in a multidisciplinary team spanning RF, digital, thermal, mechanical, and systems engineering on cutting-edge space technology.
- Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge space missions.
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment