Senior Space Vehicle Mechanical and Structural Dynamics Engineer

At Axient Systems, we are shaping the future of sovereign space capability. Based in Delft, at the heart of the Dutch aerospace ecosystem, we develop advanced satellite systems that support critical commercial and government missions. Our solutions enable secure communications, defence, security, and resilient infrastructure where performance and reliability are essential.As a growing and ambitious organisation, we offer professionals the opportunity to contribute directly to innovative space projects that make a real impact on society, security, and technological progress.We are looking for a mechanical engineer who owns the dynamic behaviour of a space vehicle: the stiffness, the disturbances, and the stability that a high-performance imaging mission depends on.The projectYou will own the structural dynamics and micro-vibration side of a high-performance optical satellite, through design, analysis, qualification and test correlation. What you will ownThe structural dynamic behaviour of the vehicle: modal analysis, coupled-loads with the launch provider, and the stiffness the payload needs.The micro-vibration and jitter budget: sources, transfer paths and effects, against the line-of-sight stability requirement set by image quality.The structural input to the STOP chain (structural-thermal-optical performance), which is run by our optomechanical engineer: the models and the deformation behaviour behind it.The analysis models behind all of this: build them, run them per design cycle, and correlate them against test.Test predictions and the mechanical qualification approach, with our AI&T and qualification engineers.The mechanical case at the design reviews, including the margins and what they rest on.You lead this discipline rather than execute a fixed scope: the depth of each topic follows the design as it matures.You have the following demonstrable competenciesYou think in load paths, modes and transfer functions, and you know when a hand calculation beats a model.You are precise about margins and about the assumptions they hide.You can work with a launch provider, a structure supplier and a payload supplier at the same time and keep one consistent picture.You keep your models under configuration control and can explain what changed between two design cycles.You communicate results to non-specialists without losing the caveats.Essential qualificationsEligible for a Dutch VGB-B clearance.Engineering degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.5+ years in structural analysis of space or comparable high-reliability systems, with demonstrable ownership of a model and its results.Finite element analysis craftsmanship (Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys or comparable), including modal and coupled-loads analysis.Fluent English.Comfortable in a multidisciplinary, transatlantic team.Desirable qualificationsMicro-vibration and jitter analysis on a pointing-critical mission.STOP analysis experience.Experience with launch vehicle coupled-loads cycles.Test correlation of structural models.Fracture control and ECSS structural standards.Fluent Dutch.What we offerA discipline lead role on a vehicle where the mechanical behaviour decides whether the mission performs.Competitive, market-aligned salary and benefits, real ownership of your discipline, and room to grow as the organisation scales.On-site work in Delft, limited hybrid working possible.ParticularitiesThis role requires Dutch security screening. You will need a VOG (Certificate of Conduct) to start, which is quick to obtain and lets you begin work on the project immediately.You might also need a VGB-B clearance. This takes longer, and we support you through it. It is required for some aspects of the role, so you must be eligible for it and willing to undergo the screening, but you do not need to have it in hand to join us.Interested?Apply via the vacancy on LinkedIn or the registration form on our website.In your application, include a short description of one structural or micro-vibration analysis you owned: the model, the margin, and what the test told you afterwards. Applications without this description will not be reviewed.