Spacecraft Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first‑of‑a‑kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA‑EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity within our Mechanical Engineering Team working with satellite technology development. We are looking for an experienced Spacecraft Mechanical Design Engineer with prior experience in dealing with military and space systems to support our team out of Englewood, CO.

• Developing engineering solutions that require creative designs, detailed analysis, investigation, and resolution of routine engineering problems.
• Experience with design, analysis, drafting, build and test of advanced space hardware. Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes.
• Responsible for development of design specifications, CAD models, and technical drawings to identify potential conflicts early in the design process.
• Develop and maintain integration plans, schedules, and milestones to track progress to ensure on budget and timely completion of design integration tasks.
• Conduct design reviews and provide feedback on design concepts, proposing solutions to optimize integration efficiency. Provides practical solutions and insight to problems involving integration and design.
• Coordinate procurement of components and materials required for integration with GA‑EMS internal machine shop and external vendors.
• Leads or performs detailed tolerance stack up analysis and geometric and dimensional tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure proper fit and alignment of components.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including electrical, software, test and systems engineering, to ensure seamless system integration and compatibility.
• Determines technical objectives and develop innovative, practical solutions to advanced technical engineering problems.
• Addresses complex and difficult technical issues requiring highly creative approaches, drawing on advanced engineering concepts.
• Will work on space systems, high energy lasers, electro‑optical systems, and other various systems.
• Hands‑on work environment and high level of interaction with system components. Oversee prototype builds and implement lessons learned into design.
• Able to balance several mechanical design projects while tracking design/release schedule and cost.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows: twelve or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, ten or more years of experience with a master’s degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

• Strong experience with GD&T application
• Real‑world experience in structural design, drafting, and modeling for space vehicles
• Experience with CAD (Solid Works) and FEA software (ANSYS, NASTRAN, FEMAP) required; MATLAB experience helpful
• Prior experience in space domain and satellite segment design
• Exposure to laboratory environments preferred (materials characterization, testing, vibration analysis, failure analysis)
• Desired knowledge of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, dynamics, space systems, launch environments, and optical systems

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact and provide leadership to junior staff

• Quick to understand and apply new concepts in a changing environment
• Thorough grasp of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory, with broad and expanding technical knowledge
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases, and determine approaches to complex problems

• Must be customer focused and able to work on a self‑initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS‑SCI security clearance is required; an active and current TS/SCI clearance is desired.

Job Type: Full‑Time Salary
Salary range: $116,480 - $208,505