Mechanical Engineer

MECHANICAL / STRUCTURES ENGINEER APPLICATION 🚀At IMF.Rockets, we’re building the technologies to make suborbital access affordable, reliable, and repeatable. We are a team of passionate young engineers designing a two-stage suborbital rocket to deliver microgravity research at a fraction of current costs.We’re looking for builders, tinkerers, and ambitious students who want to turn ideas into flight-worthy hardware.We need people who dream big but build precisely.🔩 YOUR ROLE: Mechanical / Structures Engineer (CAD & Materials)As a Mechanical / Structures Engineer you will design, analyze, and validate the structural elements of the rocket: airframe, payload bay, fin/launch interfaces, separation structures, and recovery attachments. You'll transform conceptual designs into manufacturable CAD models and ultimately flight hardware.🔧 What You’ll Work OnCreate and maintain CAD models (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or equivalent) for the fuselage, fins, payload bay, bulkheads, and separation hardware.Perform structural analysis (FEA) for load cases: static loads, launch loads, separation shock, parachute opening, and landing impact.Select materials and manufacturing methods (composites, aluminum alloys, 3D printing, CNC) balancing strength, mass, cost and manufacturability.Produce detailed drawings and BOMs for manufacturing and vendor quotes.Design and test separation mechanisms, interface fittings, and attachment points for payloads and avionics.Create and run proof tests (pull tests, vibration test fixtures, compression tests) and iterate designs based on results.Work closely with propulsion, recovery, and avionics teams to ensure mechanical interfaces and tolerances are robust.Participate in integration, assembly, and pre-flight inspections.🧩 We’re Looking For…You don’t have to be an expert — we care about drive, curiosity and careful thinking. If you like designing parts that survive the real world, you’ll thrive here.Ideal ProfileStudent in mechanical, aerospace, or materials engineering (Politecnico di Torino students welcome).Able to work from Turin, Italy and attend in-person when needed.Proficient with one or more CAD tools: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape, etc.Familiar with FEA tools (ANSYS, SIMULIA, Fusion 360 Simulation, or equivalent) or willing to learn quickly.Experience / interest in materials selection: aluminum alloys, CFRP, honeycomb cores, fasteners, adhesives.Comfortable with manufacturing processes: CNC, composites layup, 3D printing, sheet metal.Detail-oriented: produces clear drawings, dimensions, and tolerances.Strong communicator and team player — you’ll work across subsystems frequently.✅ Why Join UsDesign real flight hardware and see your CAD models turn into parts that fly.Gain hands-on experience with structural analysis, prototyping, and test procedures.Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team (avionics, propulsion, recovery).Build a portfolio and get references for industry or thesis work.Be part of an ambitious effort to democratize access to microgravity.⚖️ Commitment & CompensationThis is a voluntary, non-remunerated position — ideal for students and early-career engineers seeking experience and impact. We ask for a realistic weekly commitment (e.g., 5–10 hrs/week), flexibility for test days, and a willingness to learn.🔍 Nice-to-Have (but not required)Experience with GD&T and detailed manufacturing drawings.Previous hands-on machining or composite layup experience.Familiarity with BOM management and basic version control (Git or PLM).Knowledge of standards for fasteners and structural safety factors.📨 How to ApplySend a short message with:Who you are (name, study program, year)Links to CAD portfolio / GitHub / past projects (if any)Why you want to work on rocket structures and what you hope to learnWe care more about motivation and curiosity than a perfect resume.📩 Email: alan@imfrocket.comSubject: Mechanical / Structures Engineer Application – [Your Name]WE BELIEVE THAT SPACE EXPLORATION WILL LEAD US TO UNIVERSAL PEACE