Mechanical Design Engineer

Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability   At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.   As our Mechanical Design Engineer, you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously.   We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.

What you'll do

Design and develop complex structures for hypersonic flight hardware operating under extreme thermal, vibrational, and mechanical loads.

Own mechanical components from concept through detailed design, supporting analysis, manufacturing, and test.

Work closely with stress, thermal, and systems engineers to ensure designs are structurally sound, analysable, and flight-ready.

Translate loads, environments, and requirements into robust, lightweight, and manufacturable designs.

Produce high-quality CAD, drawings, and technical documentation suitable for prototype and flight hardware.

Support and incorporate design-for-manufacture and assembly (DFM/DFA) considerations early, working directly with suppliers and internal build teams.

Participate in design reviews, test campaigns, and post-test iterations, closing the loop between analysis, hardware, and data rapidly.

Operate in a fast-moving environment where designs evolve quickly and decisions have real hardware consequences.

Who you are

A mechanical design engineer with >3 years’ experience in aerospace, space, defence, or similarly demanding hardware environments.

Experienced designing metallic structures exposed to high vibration, dynamic loads, and elevated temperatures.

Comfortable working at the interface of design and analysis, even if analysis is not your primary role.

Practical and detail-oriented, with strong intuition for how parts are actually manufactured, assembled, and tested.

Fluent in modern CAD and drawing practices, with a high bar for clarity, accuracy, and build readiness.

Someone who values first-principles engineering over over-process or theoretical perfection.

Comfortable working with incomplete information, making sound engineering judgements, and iterating quickly.

Motivated by building real flight hardware in a small, elite team where your work directly affects mission success.

What we offer

A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.

Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.

High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.

A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.

A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.

Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.

At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply.   Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.   You can apply directly to this role or reach out to Nathan Sweeney, Head of Talent. We review every application and aim to respond to all candidates within two weeks, whether the answer is yes or no.