Mechanical Design Engineer - III

Catalyx Space · Ahmedabad, India · 1 month ago

Category: Engineering design
Experience: 5+ years

Catalyx Space is developing next-generation entry systems for space. As a Senior Design Engineer (Structures), you will lead the design, development, integration, and qualification of the primary structure for spacecraft and reentry vehicles. This role combines hands-on CAD/FEA expertise with system-level ownership, requiring experience across composites, pressure vessels, pyrotechnic devices, and full spacecraft qualification. You will bring flight heritage experience to ensure Catalyx hardware is reliable and flight-ready.

Responsibilities:

Be responsible for defining the product from scratch — from concept through flight readiness.
Own the overall BOM, vehicle configuration, hardware release process, and PLM.
Take ownership of the entire spacecraft qualification campaign and flight acceptance testing, ensuring hardware is validated at the system level, not just subsystems.
Define the test campaign for spacecraft and reentry systems.
Define volume, mass, CG, and stiffness boundaries for other departments.
Own the SolidWorks CAD design of primary structures and assemblies.
Perform FEA modelling and analysis using ANSYS, Abaqus, or equivalent tools.
Define assembly sequences for spacecraft structures and subsystems to ensure efficient integration and test flow.
Oversee the full spacecraft integration process, from structural build-up through final system closeout.
Collaborate with engineering teams to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback and propose creative solutions for complex part geometries.
Apply design for additive manufacturing principles in complex designs.
Define and derive torque requirements for fasteners and joints.
Oversee MGSE hardware design for integration and test operations.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience in spacecraft or reentry structural design.
Flight heritage required direct experience delivering hardware that has flown.
Expert proficiency in SolidWorks CAD.
Strong expertise in tolerance stack-up analysis.
Deep knowledge of FEA modelling (vibration).
Proven experience with vibration testing.
Extensive experience with composites, including sandwich panels and high-temperature materials.
Experience designing and validating pressure vessels for space applications.
Experience working with pyrotechnic devices and integrating them into structural systems.
Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing design.
Experience with high-temperature fabrics, woven composites, or textile-based structures.
Familiarity with textile engineering concepts (weaves, stitching, layups).

Preferred Skills:

Proven ability to deliver flight-ready structural hardware.
Background in algorithmic or generative design methods for lightweight structures.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.

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