Mechanical Engineer; spacecraft

Compensation: $90,000-$180,000 USD annually, plus equity

Our client is a well-funded space technology company developing innovative spacecraft systems intended to extend the availability of solar energy beyond daylight hours. The company is building hardware for its first spacecraft launch and offers engineers the chance to work on complex, mission-critical systems in a fast-moving environment.

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to design, prototype, test, qualify, and integrate critical mechanical hardware for spacecraft applications.

This is a hands-on, high-ownership role for an engineer who can take complex components from early concept through detailed design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery. The successful candidate will work onsite with a close-knit engineering team to build reliable, flight-ready hardware under demanding timelines.

• Own critical spacecraft mechanical subcomponents from concept through design, prototype, qualification, manufacturing, and integration.
• Design structural hardware, brackets, housings, mounts, mechanical interfaces, assemblies, and other flight-ready components.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and mechanical assemblies.
• Make sound engineering decisions around materials, tolerances, fastening methods, machining, assembly, and manufacturability.
• Perform and correlate relevant engineering analysis, including structural, vibration, thermal, and reliability considerations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve technical and integration issues.
• Support component testing, qualification, and integration for the space environment.
• Deliver practical, robust mechanical designs within tight development timelines.

• Strong hands-on mechanical design and CAD experience using tools such as Solid Works, CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo, Fusion 360, or similar.
• Experience owning complex mechanical components or systems through multiple stages of the product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of tolerancing, machining, bolted joints, materials, structural design, vibration, and manufacturing processes.
• Spacecraft or aerospace hardware experience is strongly preferred.
• Candidates with strong experience in high-performance automotive, robotics, drones, medical devices, precision hardware, Formula 1, or advanced manufacturing are also encouraged to apply.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering is strongly preferred.

This role suits an engineer who can clearly explain what they personally designed, built, tested, and delivered. The strongest candidates will bring technical depth, practical judgment, urgency, and a track record of taking meaningful ownership of complex hardware.