Mechanical & Structural Engineer

The position of Mechanical & Structural Engineer places you at the heart of an exo‑atmospheric interceptor program run by Destinus, the prime contractor for the Bliksem Exo consortium, a four‑nation European effort developing an affordable anti‑ballistic missile system. The role bridges the gap between digital models and flight‑ready hardware, contributing to cutting‑edge unmanned aerial vehicle technologies that serve defense agencies worldwide. Your daily work will involve creating and updating CAD representations of the vehicle’s structure and layout, while balancing packaging, mass and centre‑of‑gravity limits. You will conduct structural and stiffness assessments using both hand calculations and finite‑element analysis for flight, storage, handling and environmental loads. Coordination of mechanical and thermal integration across subsystems, planning and carrying out structural, vibration and environmental test campaigns, and interpreting test results to refine the design are core activities. You will also oversee mechanical suppliers, manage drawings, tolerances and manufacturing specifications, and handle externally sourced components. Candidates must hold a BSc, MSc or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace or a related engineering discipline, and bring more than ten years of experience designing mechanical or structural flight hardware such as missiles, spacecraft or high‑performance aircraft. Proficiency with solid‑modeling tools like SolidWorks or CATIA, strong capability in structural analysis (hand calculations and FEA), and hands‑on experience planning and executing structural, vibration or environmental tests are essential. Experience in designing tightly constrained systems with strict mass, packaging and centre‑of‑gravity requirements is also required. The role sits within a compact, highly technical team where rapid development, personal ownership and sound engineering judgment are prized. Working on a program that moves from concept to testable hardware at an operational pace offers a unique environment for engineers eager to shape the future of defense aerospace.