Mechanical Analysis Team Lead

Astroscale UK is looking for a Mechanical Analysis Team Lead to join our team at our brand-new state-of-the-art office in Harwell, UK.

This role will focus on leading analysis activities on all spacecraft equipment, components, and subsystems, as well as complete spacecraft structure, the capture mechanism and docking plates for our future Space orbital debris removal projects. They will work cross-functionally to ensure projects are developed and delivered within specified timeframes to the required quality and cost. The Analysis Team Lead will provide line management, technical leadership, mentoring and coaching to their team members. They will check the team’s work as necessary and develop their team’s skills by providing necessary guidance and/or training. The Analysis Team Lead is the technical authority for all spacecraft structure and equipment across all projects, and they must be able to provide guidance and expert opinion to internal and external stakeholders in a timely fashion through excellent communication.

**Responsibilities
Mechanical
- Ensure structural requirements are identified & generated (at spacecraft, subsystem, and unit levels). They will ensure that these are up-to-date and maintained appropriately.
- Oversee the analysis of hardware including spacecraft structure, mechanisms, unit modules, and ground support equipment to meet mission requirements.
- Work closely with the Design Team Lead and the Mechanical Design Engineers on the structural analysis of flight and mission support hardware.
- Coordinate with other teams to identify analysis needs.
- Technical supervision and monitoring of suppliers.
- Oversee work with AIV team to ensure that mechanical design considers ease of manufacture, assembly, integration and test.
- Oversee and assist with Defining and performing hardware related activities throughout spacecraft design and development, AIV phases, and Launch campaigns.
- Oversee structural testing of flight, qualification, and engineering related hardware.
- Lead structural aspects of milestone reviews and ensure delivery of structural evidence to support them.
- Provide oversight, evidence, and technical authority to Design Release Reviews.
- Investigate structural non-conformances and provide conclusions, lessons learned, and mitigation strategies to support flight clearance activities.
- Provide expert advice and estimates on analysis-related issues in a timely fashion.
- Maintain excellent, continuous, communication and feedback with stakeholders.
- Assist company-wide projects and activities as a member of the global Astroscale team.
- Work closely with Project Managers to develop plan and develop schedules for the project.
- Track progress of tasks and set priorities for team members.
- Liaise with Procurement team in communications with suppliers and be the focal point for any technical exchange.
- Mentor and support team members to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Assist the Mechanical Group Manager in resource planning and recruitments. Develop and maintain good team spirit within the team, and the Mechanical Group.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities:

- Technical Leadership of the Analysis Team.
- Resource and scheduling of the Analysis Team, assigning team members to project work.
- Reviewing work of team members, as and when appropriate.
- Mentoring and coaching Analysis Team members.
- Line management of team members.
- Reviewing CVs and interviewing for team roles.
- Supporting bids, by providing inputs to their group leader on schedules and costings.
- Motivating and leading others - Leading the team, regular one to ones, team meetings. Developing others - Actively seeks performance Improvement, coaching, giving feedback, and annual performance appraisals.

**Essential Skills
- Diploma; bachelor or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or relevant engineering / science discipline.
- 5+ years of experience as mechanical analysis engineer, with experience in the space industry (other hi-tech industries such as aircraft, motorsport etc. will also be considered).
- Highly proficient in Finite Element Analysis with significant experience in NASTRAN and the Hyperworks software suite (other FEA packages will be considered).
- Experience with Engineering Change Processes and using a PDM/PLM system.
- Good manufacturing drawing knowledge, including GD&T, to appropriate standards.
- Demonstrable ability to prepare mechanical aspects of a plan against project needs and deliver against this.
- Demonstrable ability to manage stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills.
- The ability to provide estimates and opinion based on experience.
- Demonstrable experience of technical leadership over the full lifecycle of a spacecraft, from design to launch.
- Experience of engineering verification and validation processes.
- Demonstrable experience in designing and running a spacecraft structural qualification testing campaign. Experienced in leadership