About Vimotek 

Space is on the path to industrialization and a new economy is emerging where resources and energy will be  extracted, and both products and services will be produced for consumption either in space or on Earth. The first  step in this development is for satellites to transition from being standalone passive nodes in an infrastructure to  being robots that actively collaborate to solve more advanced tasks. Satellites will inspect and transport each  other, refuel, clean up debris, perform repairs, and collaborate to construct larger structures like solar power  plants for efficient production of large amounts of fossil-free energy. 

Vimotek is a SpaceTech company in Luleå that develops technical solutions which are key components to enable  the emerging industrialization of space. The company's first product is targeted at companies that are  constructing new satellites to perform various types of advanced missions. The product—the Vimotek NavCam 1 Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) Kit—is a sensor package that gives satellites the ability to see and  understand different objects in space, allowing them to approach and interact with them. 

Vimotek’s solution 

The Vimotek NavCam-1 RPO Kit is a subsystem for satellites—a plug-and-play product that will offer spacecraft  manufacturers a scalable full solution for spacecraft vision and relative navigation, for use cases in the domains  of Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM), In Space Operations and Services (ISOS), Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Asset Protection (SAP).

The product combines three complementary vision sensors (visual camera, thermal camera, and LiDAR) with  edge computing power and image processing software to provide actionable navigation data in real-time and  ensure successful missions. All sensor systems and associated software are developed in-house by Vimotek. 

Our unique approach to sensing and perception in space 

The current way for spacecraft manufacturers and operators to gain RPO capability is to build a new technical  solution for each satellite and mission, something that is both extremely expensive and does not work for all use  cases due to the existing sensor technology not having the right performance. Vimotek’s solution is to develop  new high-performance sensors and package them together with intelligent software into a plug-and-play product  that can be used by many different customers for many different satellites and cutting-edge use cases. This  approach is not the usual way of doing things; Vimotek’s solution is unique in the world. 

What have we achieved so far?  

Vimotek’s first solution is still under development, but the company has already started to make its mark on the  space industry. Most notably, in competition with some of the large market-leading companies, Vimotek’s  consortium won the call from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to create a concept for how European satellites  can defend themselves against man-made threats in space. 

"Bodyguard aims to develop building blocks for autonomous space situational awareness capabilities  onboard satellites to increase Europe's independence and superiority in space. The project emerges as  a ground-breaking collaborative initiative aimed at elevating the on-board threat detection, assessment  and monitoring, as well as protection and resilience capabilities of space assets against a diverse range  of threats. In close proximity, it can detect weak points of the threat satellite and counteract with a robot  or laser." – The European Commission 

What’s the challenge?  

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mechanical Designer for Space Applications to join our dynamic engineering  team. The ideal candidate will have expertise in mechanical design for space systems, proficiency in Solidworks, and  experience with product development of sensors and opto-mechanics from prototype to manufacturing. You will be a key  person in the mechanical design and testing, of the Vimotek products, ensuring they meet the stringent space requirements.

Skills & Requirements 

• At least 5 years’ experience of mechanical engineering of robust products, preferably for space but  otherwise for e.g. defence, aerospace, automotive or industry.  

• Excellent skills in Solidworks for design of high-quality products that include electronics, and with  experience in creating detailed 3D models, assemblies, and technical drawings. 

• Collaborate with customer and cross-functional teams, including systems engineers, electrical  engineers, optical designers and production teams, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical designs  into overall space systems. 

• Familiarity with different manufacturing technologies and how to design for prototyping and  manufacturing (DFM).  

• Hands-on experience with shock and vibration testing and using simulation tools (e.g., FEA, vibration  analysis) to validate mechanical designs. 

• Strong understanding of environmental testing for tough applications and preferably space applications,  including vibration, thermal cycling, vacuum, and other space-specific conditions. 

• Experience of product structures in a PLM system to manage design data, part numbers, and revisions  throughout the product lifecycle. Contribute to ensuring that all designs are properly documented and  aligned with standards, maintaining full traceability from requirement, prototype through to manufacturing and testing. 

• Need to be a team player and have the ability to work in a startup environment balancing high demands  from customers with restricted budget and a small growing team. 

Good to have would also be: 

• Previous experience in mechanical design of sensor systems or for spacecraft, satellites, or other space related systems. 

• Worked with designing moving parts, including brushless motors, and mechanisms for high-precision  sensors and opto-mechanics. 

• Experience in material selection for space applications, with a strong understanding of mission  requirements, such as thermal conductivity for heat dissipation, low outgassing properties for vacuum  compatibility, and resistance to thermal cycling and micrometeoroid impacts. 

• Knowledge of NASA, ESA, or other space agency standards for mechanical and environmental testing. 

The company’s primary language is English, proficiency in additional languages is a plus. 

Location: Primarily on site in Luleå, but Stockholm or hybrid can be discussed 

Join Vimotek and be part of an exciting journey as we develop cutting-edge products and contribute to industrialization of  space.