Founded in 2017, ThrustMe is a pioneering space technology company revolutionizing the space propulsion industry. We made history in 2019 and 2020 with the world’s first in-orbit demonstrations of iodine-fueled electric propulsion systems based on RF ion thruster technology. Today, we are the global market leader in electric space propulsion for satellites below 150 kg, with more than 250 ion thrusters operating in space and over 1,000 systems ordered. We are growing rapidly from 70 to over 100 employees, with a significant part of the team dedicated to developing, industrializing and mass-producing space propulsion systems based on new concepts.

Your role:

ThrustMe is looking for a Mechanical Engineer (M/F) with strong skills across the entire engineering cycle, from conceptual design through qualification.

This position is within the Innovation Team, where you will solve problems without established solutions, build and test your ideas, and use the results to improve designs. This requires creativity, sound engineering judgment and the ability to work independently when requirements are still evolving. This role suits an engineer who enjoys open-ended development. You will help define the approach to unfamiliar problems while following applicable engineering and test procedures.

You will design and validate mechanical hardware for propulsion systems, where components must deliver high performance and reliability under the extreme conditions of space. You will take early prototypes through testing and refinement to flight-ready designs.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies, integrating structural, thermal, fluidic and electronic requirements.

• Prepare engineering drawings and define tolerances for manufacturing and assembly.

• Perform structural, thermal and vibration analyses to guide design decisions.

• Build prototypes, investigate failures and iterate through hands-on testing.

• Plan, execute and document development and qualification tests.

• Collaborate with the Product Team to turn validated prototypes into repeatable, production-ready designs.

Skills and qualifications

Required skills and experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related field.

• At least 3 years of relevant industry experience in aerospace, robotics, automotive, biomedical engineering or another high-tech sector.

• Experience taking hardware from concept through design, analysis, prototyping and testing.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD and engineering simulation tools, such as SolidWorks, ANSYS, Abaqus or COMSOL.

• Experience preparing engineering drawings and specifying manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

• Evidence of independently solving unfamiliar engineering problems and taking responsibility for the outcome.

Useful additional experience

• Space hardware development and qualification, including vibration, shock and thermal cycling tests.

• Vacuum technology, electronics, fluidics, chemistry or precision mechanisms.

• Design for manufacturing and transition to production.

• Personal engineering projects or other hands-on work that demonstrates curiosity and initiative.

How you work ?

You turn ideas into practical designs and working hardware. You know relevant engineering standards but can develop a sound approach when no established solution exists. You question assumptions, test your designs and use the results to improve them. You work independently, seek input when needed and take responsibility for your designs through testing and qualification.

If you prefer more structured work on well-defined tasks, consider our other engineering vacancies at ThrustMe.