Mechanical Engineer - Spacecraft Hardware

Mechanical Engineer - Build the mechanical hardware behind a new generation of modular spacecraft, taking complex systems from early concept through qualification, production, and on-orbit operation

Denver, Colorado | On-site

This role will own the design, analysis, integration, and testing of spacecraft mechanical and electromechanical systems. You will take hardware from initial requirements and CAD through detailed design, prototype builds, environmental testing, production, and flight. The work spans spacecraft structures, mechanisms, actuators, precision assemblies, tolerance analysis, and hardware integration. You will work closely with systems, electrical, software, test, and manufacturing engineers while helping establish strong mechanical design practices as the team and vehicle platform scale.

We are a venture-backed space technology company developing advanced modular spacecraft systems designed to operate, connect, and reconfigure in orbit. The team is small, highly technical, and progressing from flight demonstration toward operational systems. Engineers have broad ownership and work directly on hardware that must survive launch and perform reliably in space.

• Own spacecraft mechanical and electromechanical subsystems from concept through production and flight
• Translate system requirements into detailed mechanical designs and hardware architectures
• Develop 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, tolerance analyses, and manufacturing documentation
• Design structures, mechanisms, actuators, and precision assemblies for launch and on-orbit environments
• Perform mechanical trade studies and support material, hardware, and manufacturing process selection
• Lead mechanical design reviews and drive designs through release
• Work with systems, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to integrate hardware into the spacecraft
• Support rapid prototype builds, assembly, troubleshooting, and design iteration
• Develop mechanical verification and validation plans
• Support vibration, structural, environmental, and qualification testing
• Evaluate test results and drive design improvements based on hardware performance
  
  Work directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners to resolve fabrication and production issues
• Create and review drawings using GD&T and appropriate aerospace design practices
• Support configuration control and design documentation
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and help improve mechanical engineering standards and processes

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience
• Strong fundamentals in statics, dynamics, materials, structural mechanics, and mechanical design
• Experience owning complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware through multiple stages of development
• Strong CAD capability including 3D modeling, detailed drawings, and tolerance stack-ups
• Experience designing hardware for demanding aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, or similar environments
• Knowledge of aerospace materials, mechanical hardware, and fabrication processes
• Experience developing and executing mechanical test plans
• Hands-on experience building, testing, troubleshooting, and iterating hardware
• Ability to work effectively across multiple engineering disciplines
• Strong technical judgment and ability to make design decisions with limited oversight

• Direct experience designing spacecraft or satellite flight hardware
• Experience with mechanisms, actuators, deployables, separation systems, or precision mechanical assemblies
• Proficiency with Onshape, Solid Works, NX, Creo, or comparable CAD platforms
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and ASME Y14.5
• Experience with structural FEA tools such as Nastran, Femap, ANSYS, or Abaqus
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal analysis tools
• Understanding of launch loads, thermal environments, material behavior, and structural margins
• Experience with vibration, environmental, and qualification testing
• Familiarity with NASA or other spacecraft verification standards
• Experience owning a spacecraft subsystem through design, qualification, production, and flight
• Experience with…