Thermo-Mechanical Engineer

cosine

YOUR (SPACE) MISSION As a Scientist or Mechanical Engineer at cosine, you will contribute to cutting-edge technologies that enable space exploration, Earth observation, and advanced scientific research. Whether your expertise lies in physics, mechanics, electronics, optics, thermal engineering, or systems development, you will work alongside multidisciplinary teams to solve complex technical challenges and transform innovative ideas into real-world instruments and systems. At cosine, we combine scientific excellence with hands-on engineering. Our teams develop high-performance technologies for international space missions, scientific facilities, and industrial applications. Depending on your background and interests, you will be working on projects that range from concept development and modelling to testing, integration, and validation. We are always interested in meeting talented MSc and PhD graduates who are eager to push technological boundaries and make a tangible impact on the future of science and space exploration. Potential opportunities include: * Scientist Engineer Thermo-Mechanical Develop and analyse thermal and mechanical solutions for high-performance instruments operating in challenging environments. You will contribute to the design, modelling, testing, and qualification of systems that must perform reliably in space and other demanding applications. * Scientist Engineer Electronics / Avionics Design, develop, and validate electronic subsystems that form the backbone of advanced space instrumentation. Your work may involve embedded electronics, avionics architectures, hardware verification, and system integration, contributing directly to mission-critical technologies. * Scientist Engineer Silicon Pore Optics Support the development of next-generation X-ray optics based on Silicon Pore Optics technology. You will design and execute experiments, analyse measurement data, work with precision assembly processes, and contribute to technologies that enable future space telescopes and advanced scientific instrumentation. * Mechanical Engineer Translate complex technical requirements into innovative mechanical designs and practical engineering solutions. You will work across the full development cycle, from concept generation and detailed design to manufacturing support, testing, and customer-facing project activities. YOUR PROFILE We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications: * MSc or PhD degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with a hands-on engineering mindset * Affinity with complex multidisciplinary systems and technology development * Experience through academic research projects, industrial R&D, or relevant engineering activities * Ability to communicate effectively in English within an international environment * Curiosity, initiative, and motivation to contribute to innovative technologies for space and science * Residing within commuting distance of Sassenheim, the Netherlands, or willing to relocate WHAT WE OFFER At cosine, we highly value our employees, and we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with: * A unique, international working environment at the intersection of physics and engineering * The opportunity to deliver end-to-end solutions in autonomous project teams, in close collaboration with customers * A competitive salary based on the extend of relevant experience and seniority of the position * 27 days of annual leave (based on full-time employment) * Annual bonus based on personal and company performance * Hybrid working options, including the possibility to work partially from home * Company bicycle and fitness plans * A personal development budget * Initial one-year contract, with the aim of long-term collaboration ABOUT COSINE Founded in 1998, cosine is a world-leading developer of space instrumentation and measurement systems, making the invisible measurable and the complex actionable. Its expertise spans High-Energy Optics, including optics developed for ESA's future NewAthena X-ray observatory, as well as remote sensing solutions for Earth Observation and planetary science. With over 25 years of experience and advanced cleanroom and assembly facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, cosine brings deep scientific and engineering expertise to some of the most demanding missions in space and on Earth. What makes cosine a unique place to work is that your work goes end-to-end: from concept and design to building, testing, and delivering hardware that actually flies in space. You work in small, highly skilled teams where you have real ownership and impact, alongside experts in optics, physics, nanofabrication, and systems engineering.  cosine is committed to providing an inclusive and equal opportunities work environment where everyone can thrive. As a proud member of the Women in Aerospace community, we recognise the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the workplace.

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. The heart of a spacecraft lies in its engines, and that's why we, at The Exploration Company, are dedicated to developing our own cutting-edge Propulsion Systems ensuring the highest level of efficiency and reliability in our space endeavours. We are seeking a talented Thermo-mechanical Engineer to join our Future Project division. As a key member of our engineering team, you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing combustion devices for cryogenic rocket engines, with a focus on the main thrust chamber assembly. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Support structural and thermal analysis of combustion device hardware including injector heads, faceplates, combustion chambers, manifolds, and structural interfaces. * Perform finite element analysis (FEA) and establish practical design suggestions and establish design recommendations, and margin assessments for hardware development. * Develop and apply analytical and reduced-order models to estimate heat transfer, structural loads, and thermal boundary conditions to inform design trades and hardware maturation. * Support hardware development and maturation, including design iteration, development planning, test definition, and post-test assessment of structural and thermal performance. * Drive life assessment activities, including low-cycle fatigue, thermal fatigue, cyclic loading, margin tracking, and damage accumulation for reusable hardware. * Own structural reliability and lifecycle assessments of combustion hardware, including low-cycle fatigue, thermal fatigue, cyclic loading, and thermo-mechanical failure risk evaluation. * Collaborate with combustion and fluid engineers to translate predicted heat flux distributions, pressure fields, and flow characteristics into structural and thermal design requirements * Define structural and thermal instrumentation strategies for development testing and participate post-test data reduction, model validation, and correlation activities. * Contribute to material selection and design trades considering temperature capability, strength, fatigue resistance, oxidation compatibility, and cryogenic behavior. * Prepare technical documentation and contribute to design, and test reviews with clear technical justification and risk assessment. WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. * Experience (academic, internship, or professional) in structural or thermal analysis of high-performance mechanical systems. * Strong fundamentals in solid mechanics, heat transfer, and pressure-loaded structures. * Experience with FEA tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus, or equivalent. * Ability to interpret complex thermal and pressure boundary conditions and apply them appropriately in structural models. * Understanding of fatigue, temperature-dependent material behavior, and nonlinear structural response. * Exposure to high-temperature or cryogenic systems is advantageous. * Familiarity with CAD (NX ideally) tools and ability to work directly with geometry. * Experience with Python or similar scripting tools for analysis automation or data processing is beneficial. Skills and Behaviours * Methodical and structured approach to problem solving. * Strong attention to detail and analytical rigor. * Clear written and verbal communication of technical rationale. * Ability to iterate analyses as design and test data evolve. * Interest in propulsion systems and combustion device development. * Demonstrates behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Mission, Vision, Integrity, Excellence, and Teamwork. Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind  * We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them   * We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.

CERN

Ideal start date: 01/10/2026 Contract duration (in months): 48 Grade range: 6 Benchmark job: 200090 - Mechanical Engineer Job flexibility: Fully Onsite Team supervision What you'll do: You will play a key role in the design, prototyping, construction, and integration of the mechanical structures and services for the innermost region of the CMS detector at CERN. This includes beam-pipe support structures, tracker bulkheads, beam-luminosity and beam-background monitors, and their associated services. The work will culminate in the equipment installation and commissioning at the end of the Long Shutdown 3 of the LHC. Your responsibilities: - Prepare 3D models and technical drawings and perform thermo-mechanical analyses of complex mechanical components and assemblies. - Contribute to component procurement and oversee fabrication of mechanical parts, including related quality assurance. - Lead and supervise the assembly of mock-ups, prototypes, and final versions of support structures for the CMS innermost region. - Assist with the integration and testing of the Inner Tracker and Luminosity Monitors at CERN. - Support and supervise colleagues from collaborating institutes participating in integration activities at CERN. Your profile: - Proven experience in design of complex mechanical components and assemblies using 3D CAD tools. - Experience with structural and thermal simulations using finite-element analysis. - Experience in construction, assembly, and quality control of mechanical systems. - Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, establishing and maintaining constructive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues. - Master's Degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Your skills: - Design and analysis of mechanical structures. - Production of 2D drawings and 3D models. - Knowledge and application of numerical modelling in solid mechanics. - Manufacturing of mechanical parts. - Builds and maintains constructive and effective work relationships. - Shares knowledge and expertise freely and willingly with others; coaches others to ensure knowledge transfer. - Creates a common mind-set and promotes team spirit. - Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French. Employment conditions: - A valid driving licence. - Shift work, when required by the needs of the Organization. - Work in Radiation Areas. - Interventions in underground installations. - Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. For full job description and application process please visit the following website: https://careers.cern/jobs/mechanical-engineer-cms-innermost-region/