Mechanisms Engineer II – Opto-Mechanical Systems

• Support design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals
• Assist in developing mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
• Perform design trade studies and analyses for gimbal configurations, including mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime
• Support mechanism qualification activities, including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments
• Prepare mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures for senior engineer review
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition
• Apply mechanism design principles and analysis methods under mentorship from senior and principal engineers
• Support production transition activities, including tolerance analysis and DFM/DFA reviews
• Contribute to motor and encoder selection, bearing selection and preload analysis, lubrication strategies, mechanism-level FMEA, and reliability analysis
• Travel up to 20% for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field
• 2+ years of experience in mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
• Exposure to the design or analysis of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as Creo, NX, or Solid Works
• Exposure to finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or Comsol
• Foundational knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
• Familiarity with space qualification testing concepts including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
• Familiarity with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
• Awareness of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status required under export control regulations
• Required to complete Blue’s Standard Background Check

Demonstrates expertise in mechanism design and analysis for precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms, with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and space qualification testing. Proficient in 3D CAD software and familiar with DFM/DFA principles, ensuring effective collaboration and communication in cross-functional teams.

• Mechanism Design
• 3D CAD Software Proficiency
• Finite Element Analysis
• Space Qualification Testing
• Tolerance Analysis

• Mechanism Kinematics
• Mechanism Dynamics
• Structural Analysis
• GD&T
• Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
• Design for Manufacturing
• Design for Assembly
• Gimbal Assemblies Design
• Pointing Mechanisms Design
• Reliability Analysis

• Collaboration
• Communication

• Aerospace Engineering
• High-Reliability Applications
• Precision Mechanical Systems
• Vibration Testing
• Shock Testing
• Thermal Vacuum Testing

• Creo
• NX
• Solid Works
• ANSYS
• NASTRAN
• Comsol