Senior Mechanical Engineer II

Space Systems

Role Overview

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and mechanism development scope, requirements, schedules, risks, milestones, and verification plans.
• Own technical execution for complex components or subsystems through design, procurement, build, test, qualification, and delivery.
• Lead trade studies covering architecture, packaging, interfaces, tolerances, materials, fabrication, assembly, inspection, and verification.
• Lead design, manufacturing, and test reviews and drive closure of review actions.
• Manage technical schedules, vendors, budgets, build priorities, and risk mitigation.
• Mentor engineers and improve design standards, best practices, and design-for-manufacture processes.
• Develop precision mechanisms, robotic systems, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Create SolidWorks models, production drawings, bills of material, assembly documentation, test procedures, and design analyses.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance analysis, material and process selection, calculations, and FEA.
• Support assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental testing, qualification, fixtures, and test-data review.
• Coordinate with machine shops and suppliers to resolve fabrication questions and support delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, including aerospace, spaceflight, robotics, or high-reliability hardware development.
• 3+ years as a responsible engineer or technical lead for mechanical component or subsystem development.
• Experience delivering hardware from concept through design, procurement, build, integration, testing, qualification, and delivery.
• Deep experience with precision mechanisms, robotic systems, aerospace hardware, or electromechanical assemblies.
• Strong SolidWorks experience with CAD modeling, production drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, bills of material, and design documentation.
• Experience using calculations, tolerance analysis, FEA, inspection data, and test results to guide design decisions.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials, fabrication, interfaces, environmental requirements, verification, and design for manufacturability.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental testing, qualification, and design iteration.
• Experience leading technical reviews, coordinating cross-functional teams, communicating risks, and mentoring engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related engineering discipline.
• Experience with robotic manipulators, in-space servicing, planetary robotics, precision spacecraft mechanisms, or satellite deployment systems.
• Experience with motorized mechanisms, actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, rotary sensors, launch locks, release devices, or kinematic interfaces.
• Experience with structural, vibration, thermal, or thermal-elastic analysis and environmental test data.
• Experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, commercial space, or prime-contractor flight programs.
• Experience with AS9100, configuration management, root-cause investigation, failure analysis, nonconformance disposition, or test-anomaly resolution.

Work Environment

• The position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Compensation

• Base pay is determined case by case based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
• The California base pay range is $132,000 to $176,000 USD.
• Total compensation may include company stock, benefits, paid leave, retirement matching, and employee programs.

Eligibility Note

• U.S. export-control eligibility or authorization may apply to work involving regulated space technology.