About this role
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be a key contributor in the development of innovative airfield lighting products and mechanical systems, supporting the entire product lifecycle from concept to commercialization. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (FAA, ICAO) and driving continuous improvement in design, processes, and technology. Responsibilities: Execute detailed mechanical and thermal design, starting from requirements specification through to final product. Integrate light engine and electronics into new products, considering both mechanical and electrical interfaces. Develop, review, and enhance mechanical models for new and existing products. Create and maintain piece-part and assembly drawings for suppliers and in-house production. Conduct static and dynamic stress simulations, thermal analysis, and failure/root cause investigations. Design and perform verification and validation testing to ensure and improve design quality. Support prototype builds, certification testing, and compliance with quality and change management procedures. Cooperate in establishing product specifications and documentation (manuals, leaflets). Provide maintenance and support for existing products throughout their lifecycle. Build up knowledge of business standards (FAA, ICAO, etc.) and participate in activities to improve these standards. Prospect new technologies, materials, and components; evaluate competitor products and follow up on new market offerings. Support in securing intellectual property through invention disclosures and patents. Provide technical support to other departments; including but not limited to supply chain, manufacturing, suppliers, sales team and customers. Document findings, prepare technical reports, and communicate solutions to stakeholders. Continuously search for improvement of design and test tools and identify improvements to departmental processes. Adhere to all relevant administrative requirements, policies, procedures, and compliance rules. Domestic and international travel may be required (less than 10%). Experience 3+ years (mid-level) or 8+ years (senior-level) experience as a design engineer, preferably in a manufacturing setting. Experience with aluminium castings, plastics, sheet metal, sealed enclosures. Experience with failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective design improvements. Experience with electro-mechanical systems, structural and mechanism design. Experience in highly regulated product design environments (eg UL, CSA, ETL, FDA, FAA, ICAO) is highly preferred. Prior experience in lighting design (airfield or automotive) is a plus. Experience with photometric analysis and integration of electrical components is a bonus. Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field is a plus. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant work experience may be considered. Fluency in Dutch or French and English required. German is an asset. Able to work and communicate effectively in an international, intercultural environment. Competencies Advanced proficiency in 3D solid modelling (SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM strongly preferred), 2D drawing documentation, and AutoCAD. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and SharePoint. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Good understanding of product design methodology and static FEA (SolidWorks Simulation preferred); experience with other simulation tools (Thermal, Fatigue, LightTools, etc.) is a plus. Ability to support and analyze photometric data and provide guidance to stakeholders. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially in international and intercultural environments. Creative, result- and quality-oriented, with an “out of the box” mindset. Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams. Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.