Lead Mechanical Engineer

Dhruva Space is seeking a driven and experienced Lead Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years of industry experience to lead the design, development, and validation of complex mechanical systems for space applications. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge missions, shape mechanical engineering practices, and mentor a high-performing team within India’s fast-growing private space ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the Mechanical Engineering team in the design, analysis, development, and validation of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and thermal components.
• Define and implement design strategies that meet mission, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements across various platforms.
• Conduct and drive key technical reviews (BDRs, PDRs, CDRs), ensuring completeness of documentation, adherence to configuration control, and technical accuracy.
• Oversee detailed design reviews, CAD model approvals, BOM management, and supplier evaluations for custom mechanical parts.
• Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and DFAM practices; apply GD&T and tolerance stack-up principles effectively.
• Develop and execute test strategies for mechanical assemblies including vibration, shock, and thermal cycling in coordination with AIT teams.
• Perform structural analysis (FEA and hand-calculations) including stress, modal, thermal, and buckling assessments. Guide design modifications based on analysis outcomes.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Electrical, AIT, Quality, and Project Management teams to ensure alignment of deliverables with program milestones and mission objectives.
• Proactively identify technical risks, manage risk registers, and implement mitigation strategies early in the design lifecycle.
• Cultivate a culture of engineering excellence through design sprints, technical deep-dives, and structured knowledge-sharing.
• Support the hiring, onboarding, and continuous development of mechanical engineers on the team.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of mechanical engineering experience, including 2–3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Strong grasp of mechanical fundamentals: statics, dynamics, thermal systems, vibrations, fatigue, and materials.
• Experience in mechanical architecture reviews, DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, and performance optimization.
• Proficient with CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, Siemens NX) and PLM/PDM systems.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying FEA and analytical structural analysis results.
• Familiarity with GD&T and generating/reviewing detailed part and assembly drawings.
• Knowledge of spacecraft or aerospace integration and environmental testing protocols.
• Exposure to mechanical-electrical co-design, cable routing, and 3D spatial planning.
• Strong decision-making skills based on risk analysis and trade-off evaluation.