Mechanical Analysis Engineer – Satellite Structures

About the role

We are seeking a Mechanical Analysis Engineer specialized in satellite structures to support an aerospace client in Lausanne. The role involves performing structural analyses of spacecraft and related components, ensuring designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Define, perform, validate, and document spacecraft structural analysis using hand calculations, empirical methods, and finite element analysis.
• Build, run, and post‑process detailed and idealized FEM models of full spacecraft, sub‑assemblies and components under static, dynamic, and thermal loads.
• Support hardware development and testing, define test plans, predict test outcomes, and correlate post‑test results with models.
• Collaborate with design and system engineers to iterate designs using a design‑by‑analysis approach.
• Review mechanical specifications and develop appropriate analysis and test plans.
• Participate in technical exchanges with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors.

Required profile

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in structural analysis of full spacecraft or major sub‑assemblies for space applications.
• Proven expertise with NASTRAN (and pre/post‑processors such as Hypermesh or FEMAP) or ANSYS for mechanical analysis.
• Strong knowledge of linear, non‑linear, thermo‑elastic, buckling, modal, sinusoidal and random vibration analysis methods.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards such as ECSS, MIL‑HDBK5/17, NASA.
• Experience in dynamic mechanical testing and test correlation.
• Ability to prepare CAD geometry for analysis.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Excellent written and oral English; French is a plus.

Required skills

• NASTRAN solver
• ANSYS FEA software
• Hypermesh
• FEMAP
• Finite element modelling
• Linear and non‑linear analysis
• Thermo‑elastic analysis
• Buckling analysis
• Modal analysis
• Sinusoidal vibration analysis
• Random vibration analysis
• ECSS standards
• MIL‑HDBK5/17
• NASA standards
• Dynamic mechanical testing
• CAD geometry preparation