Mechanical Design Engineer

About us:

At GATE Space, we develop green, chemical in-space propulsion solutions for the NewSpace economy. Drawing on years of experience developing rocket engines, our team is chasing the dream of a thriving economy in space and tackling space engineering problems with a rapid prototyping philosophy. We focus on the development of two products: The GATE Jetpack – a plug-and-play mobility solution for satellite missions – and the GATE Thruster – the world’s first chemical propulsion system capable of highly responsive deep throttling and differential thrust stabilization.

_At GATE Space, we are committed to workforce diversity, equality and inclusion. We want to build a diverse team and welcome and value all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief._

About your role:

As a Mechanical Design Engineer at GATE Space, your core focus will be advanced mechanical design and complex 3D CAD modeling. While you will take end-to-end ownership of our chemical propulsion systems—guiding them from clean-sheet concepts to flight-ready hardware—the heart of your day-to-day work will be designing robust, fully iterated models and detailed manufacturing drawings. You will translate system-level numerical analysis and architecture trades into tangible hardware, rigorously applying Design to Cost (DTC) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role for an engineer who thrives in CAD and wants to see their complex fluid and combustion designs built, tested, and flown.

Your primary tasks:

• Mechanical Design & CAD: Design and optimize complex 3D models and manufacturing drawings, ranging from combustion devices to full propulsion systems.
• End-to-End Design Ownership: Lead the complete design lifecycle of propulsion systems, components and testing infrastructure. Take ownership of hardware from clean-sheet conceptualization and early architecture trades through to refined, fully iterated, and flight-ready designs.
• Design Trade-Offs & Component Engineering: Define component specifications and execute trade-off studies, selection, and procurement for pressurized and fluid systems, balancing performance with strict Design to Cost (DTC) objectives.
• Analysis & Dimensioning: Drive design maturation and optimization through a rigorous analytical design approach, leveraging Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
• Numerical Modeling: Utilize Python to build system-level numerical models, perform sizing trades, and optimize fluid mechanics and pressurized system architectures.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Team Interface: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive design decisions based on Design for Manufacturing (DFM), assemblability, testing feedback, and overall system requirements.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven industry experience (at least 4 years) taking complex hardware from early conceptual design through multiple iteration cycles to a mature, tested product.
• Exceptional proficiency in CAD design (Siemens NX preferred) with a strong portfolio of designed and manufactured components.
• Expertise in mechanical analysis with FEA tools.
• Direct experience designing and developing pressurized fluid systems, valves, and full combustion devices.
• Solid foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, and heat transfer.
• Proficiency in Python or similar tools for numerical analysis and data processing.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience from assembly and testing of structural, propulsion or robotic systems.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical trade-offs for cross-functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, seamlessly adapting to evolving priorities and timelines.

• [Optional but desired] Hands-on experience with nitrous-oxide-based propulsion systems.
• [Optional but desired] Experience in fluid analysis with CFD and numeric tools.
• [Optional but desired] Development of flight hardware for spacecrafts, propulsion systems and/or thrusters.
• [Optional but desired] Track record of developing and delivering safety critical hardware (aerospace, medical, railway systems).

About your employment

We are looking for a full-time employee, starting as soon as possible.**** This role is in-person in Vienna, Austria with occasional travel to customers all across Europe & the US as well as conferences and industry events globally.

What we offer

• Minimum annual gross salary of EUR 55,000. A higher salary can be offered depending on qualifications, experience, and professional background.
• A front-row seat in the development and implementation of innovative space missions and technologies.
• The opportunity to help shape a rapidly growing European space company.
• Variable compensation opportunities as part of performance and reward programs
• Daily company-sponsored lunch.
• Public transportation ticket.
• Flexible working hours.
• Direct collaboration with leading industrial, scientific, and institutional partners.
• A highly motivated and ambitious international team working to redefine in-space mobility.

Join us in shaping the future of in-space mobility. If you're excited about pioneering technology, passionate about space exploration, and driven by business growth, apply now to become a key member of our dynamic team at GATE Space. Together, we'll enable the next generation of space travel and exploration.