R&D Engineer - Actuators

Position purpose

At Dcubed, we're redefining the future of space exploration with advanced mechanisms and deployable systems that power missions beyond Earth.

As an R&D Engineer - Actuators (f/m/d) , you'll work at the heart of our product development and improvement efforts - designing, testing, and qualifying space-grade hardware that must perform flawlessly in the harshest environments.

In this role, you'll take ownership of both new product development projects and the continuous improvement of our current product line. You'll define and execute test and qualification campaigns, analyze results, and ensure full documentation and compliance. Collaborating closely with Production, Product Assurance and Sales, you'll help solve technical challenges, optimize designs for manufacturability, and develop jigs, fixtures, and ground support equipment that improve how we build and test our products.

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical and electromechanical components and assemblies for Dcubed's space mechanisms.
• Own and execute product testing and qualification, both in-house and with external test facilities. Including test setup, data acquisition, and qualification reporting.
• Create and maintain qualification and verification documentation (test plans, TRRs, reports, conformance matrices) in line with industry and internal standards.
• Lead engineering change requests (ECRs) to continuously improve product reliability, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with Industrial Engineering and Product Assurance to investigate issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Design and maintain assembly jigs, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) to streamline manufacturing of prototypes and test operations.
• Take a hands-on role in assembling pre-production units of your own designs, carrying that hardware knowledge through the handover to serial production.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects on product design, features and test methodology.
• Apply programming skills (Python, C/C++) to automate tests, analyze data, or support embedded systems development.
• Support cross-functional design reviews and internal qualification reviews.
• Document all work clearly and maintain configuration control in alignment with company and space industry standards.

Candidate background

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience in development of space mechanisms
• Experience in tribology
• Experience in GD&T, manufacturing processes and analysis
• Hands-on mentality on building prototypes
• Experience working with relevant standards (i.e. ECSS, Military standards, Nasa standards, etc)
• Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing techniques.
• Hands-on experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, or similar).
• Experience in testing and qualification of space hardware or similar high-reliability systems.
• Basic to intermediate programming skills (Python, C/C++) for test automation or data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; ability to work independently on technically complex tasks.
• Practical experience in a lab or test environment, with attention to detail and documentation rigor.
• Collaborative mindset with interest in working closely with Production, Product Assurance and Sales teams.
• Familiarity with ECSS or NASA testing and qualification standards is a plus.
• Fluency in English
• Eligibility to work in the Germany

What we offer

We want you to feel welcome and have the best possible tools for your work here at Dcubed. Therefore, we have selected a set of benefits to support your work days and everyday life, today and longer term.

• Commute: Deutschlandticket
• Wellbeing: EGYM Wellpass, recovery toolkit
• ETF-based pension program offering 30-50% company contribution
• Modern work equipment, based on your role and needs: laptop, phone, headphones, electric desk, wide screens, state-of-the-art workshop equipment
• Office environment: kitchen and break areas; lunch offering, beverages & snacks at the office; small exercise area, Space Bar
• Work-life balance & activities: hybrid work arrangements (location and working hours), company events and trips, launch parties
• Professional development: 70-20-10 thinking, training budget, training library, regular performance reviews
• Company swag: hoodie, t-shirt, stickers, water bottle, notebook etc.