Mechanical CAD & Development Engineer

About this Role:

• Develop and sustain manufacturing processes supporting satellite assembly, integration, test (AIT), and launch activities.

• Design, analyze, release, and maintain manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) using CAD tools.

• Review spacecraft designs and manufacturing methods to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities for Design for Excellence (DFX) improvements.

• Create, review, and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manufacturing documentation, and GSE operating manuals.

• Participate in manufacturing-readiness reviews and production-planning activities.

• Investigate manufacturing, tooling, and process-related issues and implement corrective actions.

• Collaborate with engineering, quality, supply chain, facilities, and production teams to improve operational efficiency and product quality.

• Support technician training through the development of manufacturing documentation and standardized processes.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to increase production throughput, quality, safety, and scalability.

• Contribute to the development of cleanroom layouts, manufacturing workstations, and production equipment setups.

• Support the industrialization of spacecraft products and help establish manufacturing capabilities that enable production at scale.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, mechanical equipment, or manufacturing support hardware using CAD software.

• Proficiency with one or more CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA, or AutoCAD.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, machining methods, and material selection.

• Experience creating technical documentation, work instructions, manufacturing procedures, or operating instructions.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate manufacturing issues and drive corrective actions.

• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations.

• Hands-on engineering mindset with a willingness to work directly with hardware and production systems.

• Strong ownership mentality and comfort operating in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience in aerospace, satellite, defense, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.

• Experience supporting Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) operations.

• Familiarity with aerospace and manufacturing standards such as NASA, ECSS, ISO, MIL, IPC, J-STD, or ESD requirements.

• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience.

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

• Experience with PFMEA, process validation, risk assessment, or manufacturing readiness reviews.

• Environmental testing experience, including vibration, thermal vacuum (TVAC), thermal cycling, or shock testing.

• Experience with automated manufacturing systems, robotics, or industrial automation.

• Knowledge of lifting operations, rigging, cranes, forklifts, or other manufacturing support equipment.

• Previous experience in a startup environment.

• Passion for space systems and spacecraft manufacturing.

Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.