Team Leader Engineering
Airbus Defence and Space
The Netherlands

Daniel Team Leader Engineering

Authored on

Daniele Mangini

How Daniele is leading space innovation from the Netherlands

"Do not be afraid, and think big!"

This is the mantra that drives Daniele, the Team Leader of the Design & Analysis Engineering Team at Airbus Netherlands. For him, the engineering complexity of the space sector has been a lifelong passion. Today, he is turning that passion into reality, leading a highly-skilled team of design, mechanical, and thermal engineers who are shaping the future of European space exploration.

We sat down with Daniele to discuss his journey, the groundbreaking projects happening in the Netherlands, and why he believes attitude is just as important as technical expertise.

Engineering the future: From Ariane 6 to solar arrays

Daniele’s role is highly versatile, bridging the gap between technical engineering and strategic management. His team is responsible for delivering high-quality results across a wide range of technical specialisms, often under challenging circumstances.

Since joining Airbus in 2023, Daniele has already witnessed history. "The first-ever launch of Ariane 6 is something I will always cherish," he says. "Seeing the rocket launch for the very first time in 2024 was truly memorable, as our team played a crucial role in designing some of its vital structural components."

But the team's impact extends beyond launchers. Daniele is also a technical rater for solar arrays, a critical technology for satellites. He points to the success of the Sparkwing solar arrays, which boast a 100% success rate, and a recent contract to deliver hundreds of solar arrays for a massive constellation mission as key moments of pride.

Mission with a purpose

For those looking for meaning in their work, Daniele highlights the concrete impact Airbus projects have on humankind.

He cites the ESA Biomass mission as a prime example. Airbus Netherlands recently developed the solar arrays for this mission, which is designed to deliver vital information about the state of the world's forests and their evolution in response to climate change. It’s this combination of high-tech engineering and environmental responsibility that makes the work so rewarding.

Advice for future engineers

Daniele has a clear message for potential candidates: Go ahead and apply!

"Do not be afraid if your experience and CV does not match the exact job description... it never does!" he advises. "If you are genuinely interested... just be brave and apply for it!"

He also notes that you don't always need a strictly aerospace background. "I studied mechanical engineering," he shares, noting that engineers with thermal, optical, or mechanical backgrounds are often perfect fits for specialist positions.

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