About the organisation
For an innovative high-tech organisation, we are looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer who enjoys developing smart, lightweight solutions for unmanned aviation systems. In this role, you will design mechanical components, housings, sensor integrations and RF-related structures that need to perform reliably in demanding conditions.
You will join an engineering environment built around short development cycles: design, build, test, learn and improve. Your work has a direct impact on system reliability, performance, maintainability and operational readiness.
The name of the organisation will be shared in a personal conversation once there is mutual interest.
Your role
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you translate input from testing, production and field use into concrete design improvements. You work at the intersection of creativity, engineering and practical manufacturability.
Your focus is mainly on mechanical integration around sensors, communication components, loads and aerodynamically sensitive parts. You combine rapid iteration with attention to structural quality, serviceability and documentation.
What you will be doing
Design and prototyping
- Designing and optimising mechanical components, sensor mounts, structures, housings and lightweight assemblies.
- Creating detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies in SolidWorks, including surfacing, configurations and variant management.
- Using additive manufacturing and other rapid production methods for prototypes, test parts and low-volume series.
- Working with engineering-grade plastics and composites, reinforced polymers, carbon composites and heat-resistant materials.
- Designing with attention to tolerances, wall thickness, material selection, post-processing, assembly and repeatability.
- Developing modular parts that can be replaced or repaired quickly in an operational environment.
Validation and system adaptation
- Translating test results, damage patterns and user feedback into new design iterations.
- Performing engineering calculations and basic FEA for strength, stiffness and failure risk.
- Validating designs against load cases, vibration, temperature, moisture, dust and other environmental factors.
- Designing external forms such as fairings, pods and covers with attention to airflow and drag.
- Taking sealing, impact resistance, crash tolerance and EMC aspects into account during the design process.
Integration and performance
- Developing compact, robust and low-drag solutions for integration on flying platforms.
- Understanding how mechanical design choices affect stability, endurance, weight, maintenance and reliability.
- Ensuring that components fit within different configurations, payloads and system interfaces.
Collaboration and continuous improvement
- Working closely with colleagues in mechanical engineering, integration, flight testing, software and production.
- Contributing to hands-on assembly, testing and validation in lab and field situations.
- Exploring and applying new materials, manufacturing techniques and construction principles.
- Maintaining clear documentation, revision control and configuration management in PDM.
What you bring
Background
- A completed bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Mechatronics or a comparable field.
- Approximately 3 to 8 years of experience in high-tech hardware, aerospace, robotics, drones, unmanned systems or a comparable technical environment.
- Proven experience with physical products that have actually been built, tested and used.
- Comfortable working in fast design-build-test cycles and making engineering decisions under time pressure.
Technical knowledge
- Strong experience with SolidWorks, assemblies, surfacing, configurations and PDM.
- Practical knowledge of 3D printing and other prototyping methods for functional parts.
- Good understanding of lightweight materials, composites and reinforced plastics.
- Experience with structural analysis, vibration, basic FEA and design validation.
- A good feel for aerodynamics and packaging in compact or weight-critical systems.
- Knowledge of FMEA, CFD or EMC-aware design is a plus.
Your way of working
- You are hands-on and enjoy working close to the hardware.
- You move quickly between concept, detailed design, prototype and test result.
- You combine creativity with pragmatic engineering and manufacturable solutions.
- You work in a structured way, document carefully and keep control of revisions.
- You feel at home in a dynamic environment where many things are moving at once.
What is in it for you?
- A role in an innovative high-tech environment with tangible products and direct impact.
- Coaching, knowledge sharing and room for professional growth.
- 27 vacation days based on full-time employment.
- A 38-hour working week with flexible working hours.
- Travel reimbursement or a suitable public transport arrangement.
- A good pension scheme.
- An open, informal culture where technical ideas are taken seriously.
Interested?
Would you like to work on mechanical solutions for advanced aviation systems and be involved from design through to testing? We would be happy to get to know you. Contact SWITCH for more information about the organisation, the team and the next steps.