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Role
Lead Mechanical Engineer
Location
Hyderabad, TS, India
Job Type
Full-time & On-site
Category
Structures, Thermals & Mechanisms
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Role overview

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

  • 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.