Responsibilities
- Own mechanical and structural hardware from concept through flight operations.
- Design and analyze spacecraft primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, fluid and avionics component packaging, and launch-vehicle interface hardware.
- Perform structural and thermal analysis using hand calculations and FEA, choosing the right tool for the problem at hand.
- Write margin summaries; develop loads and load cases for launch, deployment and on-orbit environments.
- Create CAD models and manufacturing drawings with proper GD&T.
- Work directly with machinists, welders and technicians to build and test your hardware.
- Procure parts, manage suppliers, and keep your hardware on schedule and on budget.
- Troubleshoot failures, disposition non-conformances, and drive root cause corrective action.
- Test and improve your hardware: vibration, thermal, thermal-vacuum, structural, pressure.
- Support design reviews and communicate technical decisions clearly.
- Continuously improve designs to reduce cost, increase reliability, and improve manufacturability.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 2+ years of hands-on engineering experience designing, building and testing hardware (internships and major university projects count).
- Exceptional command of mechanical engineering fundamentals (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, heat transfer, fluid mechanics).
- Proficiency with 3D CAD (NX preferred) and creating detailed manufacturing drawings.
- Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
- Experience with structural analysis, both hand calculations and FEA.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, welding, additive manufacturing).
- Proven ability to take ownership, work independently, and deliver results.
- Strong communication skills; you can explain complex problems simply.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with NX and ANSYS or similar tools.
- Spacecraft or launch vehicle hardware background, including designing for launch loads, deployment, thermal cycling, vibration, shock and vacuum.
- Experience with mechanisms, deployables or separation systems.
- Experience with thermal control hardware (radiators, heaters, MLI, heat pipes) or propellant tank and fluid line packaging.
- Hands-on experience with test campaigns: test plans, instrumentation, running tests, analyzing data.
- Exposure to avionics integration, harness routing or electronics packaging.
- Experience in fast-paced startup or rapid development environments.
Benefits
- Equity – We know that our employees are the reason we succeed. To give everyone a stake in our future, we are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full-time employees.
- Comprehensive benefits program including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) plan with employer match
- 4 weeks’ Paid Time Off
- Holidays – 10 days (including an end-of-year closure)
- Paid Family/Parental Leave
- On-site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
- Dog friendly offices!
Compensation
Target Levels:
- Level 2 Range: $109,725 - $148,470
- Level 3 Range: $129,150 - $193,620
Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per-candidate basis. Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.