Job
Description
Dhruva Space is seeking a driven and experienced Lead Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years of industry experience to lead the design, development, and validation of complex mechanical systems for space applications. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge missions, shape mechanical engineering practices, and mentor a high-performing team within India’s fast-growing private space ecosystem. Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Lead the Mechanical Engineering team in the design, analysis, development, and validation of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and thermal components. Define and implement design strategies that meet mission, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements across various platforms. Conduct and drive key technical reviews (BDRs, PDRs, CDRs), ensuring completeness of documentation, adherence to configuration control, and technical accuracy. Oversee detailed design reviews, CAD model approvals, BOM management, and supplier evaluations for custom mechanical parts. Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and DFAM practices; apply GD&T and tolerance stack-up principles effectively. Develop and execute test strategies for mechanical assemblies including vibration, shock, and thermal cycling in coordination with AIT teams. Perform structural analysis (FEA and hand-calculations) including stress, modal, thermal, and buckling assessments. Guide design modifications based on analysis outcomes. Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Electrical, AIT, Quality, and Project Management teams to ensure alignment of deliverables with program milestones and mission objectives. Proactively identify technical risks, manage risk registers, and implement mitigation strategies early in the design lifecycle. Cultivate a culture of engineering excellence through design sprints, technical deep-dives, and structured knowledge-sharing. Support the hiring, onboarding, and continuous development of mechanical engineers on the team. Candidate Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Minimum 6 years of mechanical engineering experience, including 2–3 years in a leadership or management role. Strong grasp of mechanical fundamentals: statics, dynamics, thermal systems, vibrations, fatigue, and materials. Experience in mechanical architecture reviews, DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, and performance optimization. Proficient with CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, Siemens NX) and PLM/PDM systems. Skilled in interpreting and applying FEA and analytical structural analysis results. Familiarity with GD&T and generating/reviewing detailed part and assembly drawings. Knowledge of spacecraft or aerospace integration and environmental testing protocols. Exposure to mechanical-electrical co-design, cable routing, and 3D spatial planning. Strong decision-making skills based on risk analysis and trade-off evaluation. Show more Show less
