Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Spacecraft Launch Systems & Mechanisms

Location

Burlingame, California

Full time

On-site

Engineering Mechanical

• $173K – $218K

The final job level and salary will be determined based on a range of factors including the candidate’s education, qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities, and relevant experience. The listed salary range is provided to offer insight into potential compensation, but it’s not a guarantee of the final offer. While we include the full range to be transparent, offers most often fall within the middle portion rather than the top.

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to play a key role in shaping Xona’s spacecraft launch integration strategy and deployment architecture.

This engineer will drive major mechanical trade studies related to launch configuration, packaging efficiency, structural load paths, and deployment strategy — working closely across Mechanical, GNC, EE, Payload, and Operations to guide architecture decisions.

Beyond launch-focused work, this role will contribute to core spacecraft mechanical design, bringing broad aerospace experience and full ownership from concept through flight and production.

• Lead major trade studies on spacecraft launch configuration (stacking, packaging efficiency, structural load paths).
• Drive data-informed decisions across cost, risk, schedule, and scalability.
• Evaluate internal vs. commercial deployer strategies.
• Translate launch environments into actionable mechanical design requirements and margin strategies.
• Act as a key technical voice in vehicle-level architecture decisions.

• Design and develop separation and deployment mechanisms.
• Define latch, preload, and release architectures with high reliability.
• Create detailed CAD and release drawings with proper GD&T.
• Perform tolerance stack-ups and ensure manufacturability.
• Support PDR/CDR with clear technical rationale and risk ownership.

• Perform or guide FEA, modal analysis, and correlation with test.
• Support vibration, shock, and environmental testing campaigns.
• Define ascent load cases and interface conditions.
• Own anomaly resolution with urgency and rigor.

• Own hardware across multiple subsystems from clean-sheet concept through qualification and production.
• Drive build plans, inspection criteria, and acceptance processes.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation without prompting.

• Interface with deployer vendors and launch providers.
• Review ICDs and ensure system compatibility.
• Act as connective tissue across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.
• Mentor junior engineers and raise the team’s technical bar.

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 7+ years of aerospace mechanical design experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of flight hardware from concept through flight.
• Strong proficiency in Solid Works and PDM systems.
• Experience designing for launch environments.
• Experience performing or guiding FEA for structural systems.
• Hands‑on build, integration, and test experience.
• Experience with vibration and shock testing.
• Strong engineering judgment in architecture trade studies.
• U.S. Person status required.

• Experience with spacecraft hardware.
• Experience with spacecraft deployers or separation systems.
• Experience interfacing with launch providers.
• Background at high‑iteration aerospace companies.
• Experience designing high‑reliability mechanisms.
• Experience transitioning hardware into production.
• Experience influencing vehicle‑level architecture.

For U.S. Roles:
To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:
To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:
Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.