Principal Space Structures Engineer
MBRYONICS · Galway, G, IrelandMbryonics is at the forefront of free space optical communications. Our product portfolio covers a wide range of emerging technologies from photonic integrated circuits to advanced optical systems and embedded software solutions. Our optical communications systems are integrated and deployed in satellite communications systems. The work is exciting and challenging and is at the forefront of the technology domains. As part of our expansion, we are currently looking for a suitably motivated - Principal Space Structures Engineer  - to join our group.
What you’ll do
- To become a key part of the senior mechanical engineering team and help deliver on Mbryonics’ aspiring goals from optical communications terminals to the underpinning manufacturing processes.
- Technically lead structural/mechanical design and analysis of optical instruments, gimbals, motorized mechanisms, bearing-based motion systems, and supporting structures (metallic, composite, mixed-material) for space applications.
- Implement continued development of engineering practices and procedures within a blossoming start-up environment.
- Provide deep expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), structural dynamics, mechanisms design, and interface across thermal, optical, and control domains.
- Collaborate closely with optical designers, control engineers, thermal analysts, PCB/electronics engineers, and manufacturing to ensure the mechanical design supports optical performance, thermal stability, and manufacturability
- Utilise a hands-on approach, be proactive and consistently help to progress product development in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Provide mentorship and technical leadership to junior engineers and other cross-disciplinary team members; help develop best practices in structural and mechanisms design and analysis.
- Define structural and environmental requirements based on mission definitions (launch loads, thermal cycles, alignment stability, pointing precision, mechanisms motion loads, bearing/motor preload/loads)
Who you are
- 1 + years of mechanical, aerospace, and/or optical design and analysis.
- B Eng/M.Eng/Ph.D in Mechanical, Aerospace, Optical, Mechatronic Engineering or relevant field
- Deep experience of early-stage prototyping and product development
- Expert in common manufacturing processes
- Strong Experience with commercial CAD packages (SolidWorks, NX, or similar) and simulation tools (e.g., Simcenter, Femap, Nastran).
Desirable Requirements/Technical Skills/Education:
- Extensive experience in structural and mechanism design, analysis, and validation in aerospace, space-optics, or high-precision/mechanism-heavy optics instrumentation.
- Some exposure to controls/servo systems / state-space modeling / control theory — enough to collaborate with controls engineers on active optics systems (e.g., pointing, alignment, stabilization).
- Exposure to space industry standards (ECSS/MIL-STD), CI/CD for mechanical releases, configuration control, and quality systems (ISO 9001 etc.).
- Experience with the practical application of GD&T
- Prior involvement in full life-cycle hardware from concept through flight integration and test, including supplier interface, manufacturing support, integration & test, and delivery.
- Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems in space environments and operations
- Knowledge of or keen interest in the space sector would be an advantage.
- Independent and self-motivated mindset, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills across disciplines