Date: 8th October 2025
Ref: Mechanical Engineer
www.protolaunch.co.uk | careers@protolaunch.co.uk
Protolaunch Ltd is registered in England & Wales. Company No: 11804963.
Mechanical Engineer (CAD)Role Description
The Mechanical Engineer is a full-time role that works within the engineering team to support design
and manufacture. This will include designing custom components and assemblies for thrusters, valves
and test rigs. This includes working with the Propulsion Engineers to create CAD models from the
thermodynamic and fluidic models and production of manufacturing drawings and datapacks. This
role will then directly engage with external manufacturing suppliers taking parts from design through
to delivery at our in-house test facility.
We’re looking for great motivated people to join the team and will consider a range of experiences.
Applicants should have experience in industry of having produced parts through milling, turning and
(ideally) additive manufacturing processes and be asked to share any non-confidential examples of
previous parts they have worked on at interview. Space sector specific experience is preferable but
not essential.
If you are frustrated by slow moving processes at a larger space company, come to Protolaunch and
make it happen how you think it should work.
As part of the engineering team within a small dynamic startup, this role will also engage directly with
Protolaunch’s institutional partners (European Space Agency, UK Space Agency, etc) and customers.
About Protolaunch
Protolaunch is a chemical propulsion SME established in 2019 focused on developing in-space
propulsion systems. Protolaunch operates a dedicated Propulsion Test Facility located at E-Site,
Westcott Venture Park, Buckinghamshire, UK with collocated office and lab facilities.
Protolaunch is developing a range of in-space propulsion products in-house and works with a number
of commercial and institutional customers to offer outsourced R&D as well as testing & qualification
services for space sector projects.
This role would be a mechanical and CAD specialist spanning different projects and products within
the company working on both thrusters and in‑house valve design.
As Protolaunch is currently a small team of less than 10 people full‑time. We’re looking for someone
motivated to get involved and prepared to accept a high-level of responsibility. As additional team
members are employed at Protolaunch, this role will have a clear path for career progression to be a
senior member of the growing engineering team.
http://www.protolaunch.co.uk/
mailto:careers@protolaunch.co.uk
Date: 8th October 2025
Ref: Mechanical Engineer
www.protolaunch.co.uk | careers@protolaunch.co.uk
Protolaunch Ltd is registered in England & Wales. Company No: 11804963.
Job Location
This role primarily consists of modelling and design activities. Hybrid working arrangements with a
mixture of in‑person and remote is available with a minimum of 2 to 3 days per week in‑office
expected with in‑office available 5 days a week if preferred. During test campaigns, and other times
as needed, you may be required to travel to Westcott Venture Park, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, on
a daily basis. Due to the remote location of the test facility there are few feasible public transport
options.
Job Responsibilities
Protolaunch is a small dynamic startup and so all roles are expected to help colleagues and support
work on other tasks according to business needs.
Compared to working at a large space sector Prime, Protolaunch can offer you the chance to move
incredibly quickly and own aspects of the design and test process. This can support an accelerated
route to professional accreditation/chartership.
For this role in particular, the primary responsibilities and measurements of success are:
- Taking ownership of design tasks – performing supporting design calculations, CAD work,
- Preparing BOMs, sourcing components, and inspecting components on delivery.
- Take direction and balance multiple projects.
- Operate effectively in a dynamic team.
- Professionally engage with commercial and institutional partners as provided.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Expertise in Solidworks and CAD.
- Experience with tolerancing.
- Strong understanding of milling, turning, additive and waterjet manufacturing processes.
- Confidence in owning the manufacturing process and engaging directly with manufacturing
- suppliers over the phone.
- Hands on practical experience building things.
- Motivated to work in a small company with a rapidly changing startup environment.
- Passionate about space, curious and eager to learn.
- Take ownership and accountability for your own actions and mistakes.
- Can-do attitude and outstanding communication skills.
- Experience designing/assembling pressurised fluidic systems.
- Tolerance stack analysis.
http://www.protolaunch.co.uk/
mailto:careers@protolaunch.co.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr
