Principal Mechanisms Manufacturing Engineer

The Role

Responsibilities

• Lead design-for-excellence (DFX) reviews with the Mechanisms Engineering team, providing manufacturability, testability, and assembly guidance across mechanisms, machined components, and assemblies for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
• Lead the development of innovative manufacturing systems for spacecraft mechanisms, including rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
• Set manufacturing policy, standards, and best practices for the Manufacturing Engineering organization, proactively identifying and mitigating manufacturability, process, and quality risks before they surface
• Plan manufacturing strategy, tooling, and capacity investments ahead of future mechanism designs and program roadmaps
• Research and pilot new assembly methodologies and automation technologies, using data-driven analysis to optimize current production and inform manufacturing business decisions
• Create custom tools, automation, and processes — including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software — to support the manufacturing technologies you create and streamline the work of the broader Manufacturing Engineering team
• Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to continuously improve the manufacturability of the designs
• Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team’s development and qualification test campaigns, iterating on hardware and processes as test results come in
• Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite and ensure that build times align with current takt times
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior manufacturing engineers, technicians, and design peers on mechanisms manufacturing best practices
• Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to lead R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
• Demonstrated track record of leading product development and/or process improvement initiatives
• Strong understanding of mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 (Design and Development Requirements for Mechanisms) and AIAA S-114 (Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch Vehicles), as well as familiarity with the environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000) the Mechanisms Engineering team designs against
• Strong understanding of how to set up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds and transitioning from low to high-rate manufacturing
• Deep understanding of mechanisms subassembly manufacturing technologies, including rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
• Strong understanding of design-for-excellence (DFX) principles, with the ability to guide design teams across mechanisms, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
• Strong understanding of GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs
• Demonstrated ability to set manufacturing policy and proactively identify and mitigate manufacturing risk across programs, and to influence cross-functional teams to drive design changes for manufacturability
• Experience developing or deploying tools, automation, or software that scale the efficiency of a manufacturing engineering team

Nice to Have

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $175,000 – $200,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
• If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
• If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

Equal Opportunity