About this role
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AAC Clyde Space is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer (Thermal) to join our growing team and take technical ownership of the thermal design, modelling and analysis of our satellite platforms and subsystems.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing and validating thermal control systems across the full mission lifecycle — from concept and design through to testing and in-orbit performance. You will use tools such as ANSYS, ESATAN, and SolidWorks to perform detailed thermal analyses, review critical design work, and oversee the build, integration, and test project phases.
This is a hands-on role that combines detailed thermal analysis with mechanical and project engineering responsibilities. You will collaborate closely with systems, electronics, AIT and project teams to ensure robust and flight-ready solutions.
We are open to hybrid working for this role. Please note that in future, you may be required to complete a Basic Disclosure check (
Key Responsibilities:
1. Lead thermal–mechanical design and analysis activities across multiple CubeSat and small satellite programmes.
2. Lead spacecraft thermal control design, including passive and active systems (radiators, coatings, heaters, insulation, and thermal straps).
3. Conduct detailed thermal and structural analyses (steady-state, transient, and coupled thermal–mechanical FEA) using tools such as ESATAN and ANSYS Mechanical.
4. Define and support environmental testing (thermal cycling, thermal balance) to qualify designs for flight.
5. Ensure compliance with relevant standards (ECSS, internal or NASA where applicable).
6. Optimise designs for mass, stiffness, manufacturability, and thermal performance.
7. Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and support to mechanical and thermal engineers.
8. Manage project deliverables, documentation, and design reviews to meet mission and launch requirements.
9. Liaise with customers, suppliers, and partners to ensure compliance with specifications and standards.
10. Contribute to process and design improvements, helping to define internal best practices and internal standards.
11. Support programme management by providing technical input, estimates, and risk assessments
Skills required:
12. Relevant degree or equivalent work experience
13. Demonstrated experience delivering structural and mechanical systems through full design life cycles.
14. Proven experience in thermal or structural design within high-reliability or safety-critical industries (e.g. aerospace, automotive, energy, or defence)
15. Proficiency in CAD and analysis tools such as SolidWorks, ANSYS (or equivalent).
16. Experience with materials and manufacturing processes, including metals, composites, and polymers.
17. Strong understanding of mechanical and thermal engineering principles.
18. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities — capable of bridging technical and programmatic discussions.
19. High attention to detail, with consistent and disciplined documentation practices.
20. Take ownership of complex challenges and driving them to resolution with integrity and professionalism.
21. Maintain accountability for your work while contributing to a supportive and inclusive team culture.
22. Demonstrates sound judgement and resilience in dynamic, time-constrained environments.
23. Excellent organisation and prioritisation; comfortable with multiple concurrent workstreams/multiple projects to deliver high-quality engineering outputs – in a dynamic environment with tight deadlines.
24. Competent IT skills including Microsoft software.
25. Proficient in English, both verbally and written
Skills desired:
26. Space industry experience advantageous but not essential – experience in other high-performance industries welcome.
27. Experience with spacecraft thermal systems, including radiators, MLI, heaters, and thermal straps.
28. Knowledge of thermal analysis tools such as ESATAN-TMS or Thermal Desktop.
29. Familiarity with space-grade materials, outgassing behaviour, and environmental effects.
30. Experience with environmental testing (TVAC, Vibration).
31. Understanding of ECSS or NASA engineering standards.
32. Background in CubeSat, small satellite, or other space systems design and verification.
33. Experience leading design reviews and supporting flight hardware qualification.
34. Previous experience of working with small/medium sized company
ABOUT AAC CLYDE SPACE
AAC Clyde Space, a leading New Space company, specialises in small satellite technologies and services that enable businesses, governments, and educational organisations to access high-quality, timely data from space. This data has a vast range of applications, from weather forecasting to precision farming to environmental monitoring, and is essential to improving our quality of life on Earth.
Our growing capabilities bring together three divisions:
35. – delivering data from space directly to customers
36. – a full range of off-the-shelf and tailor-made subsystems, components, and sensors
AAC Clyde Space aims to become a world leader in commercial small satellites and services from space, applying advances in its technology to tackle global challenges and improve our life on Earth.
Some of our clients include Horizon Technologies, Orbcomm, OHB Sweden, Intuitive Machines, Orbital Micro Systems, the United States Airforce Academy, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency and NASA.
AAC Clyde Space Group consists of the parent company AAC Clyde Space AB (publ) and subsidiaries in Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA. Our main operations are in these five countries, with partner networks in Japan and South Korea.
AAC Clyde Space’s share is traded on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.
Data Protection Policy
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