Mechanical Engineer

About the Opportunity

Saratech is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, assembly, and testing of advanced spacecraft systems for a cutting‑edge aerospace program. This role offers hands‑on involvement across the full hardware lifecycle, from concept through environmental testing, in a fast‑paced engineering environment.

$85 - $110 per hour

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of spacecraft mechanical design and integration experience (or equivalent)
• Proficiency with CAD software (NX preferred)
• Experience with structural and thermal hand calculations (FEA preferred but not required)
• Experience designing and fabricating composite and/or metallic components
• Ability to generate engineering drawings with appropriate GD&T
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics
• Strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills
• Self‑motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment
• Strong teamwork and communication skills

• Design, analyze, procure, assemble, and test spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and solar arrays
• Define loads, interfaces, and functional requirements at component and system levels
• Select materials and mechanical components suitable for space environments
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Contribute to spacecraft‑level mechanical architecture
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to integrate avionics and wiring harnesses
• Perform mechanical and/or thermal analyses using hand calculations and analysis tools
• Generate manufacturing drawings, manage bills of materials (BOMs), and source components
• Participate in hands‑on prototyping, assembly, and functional testing
• Support sub‑assembly and vehicle‑level environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.)
• Design ground support equipment including assembly jigs, test fixtures, and mass offload systems
• Support vehicle integration efforts across engineering teams
• Assist with improvements to manufacturing, test, and integration facilities
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency

• Experience with spacecraft environmental testing (launch vibration, thermal vacuum)
• Passion for hands‑on hardware development
• Experience with composite structures
• Proficiency with NX
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and/or NX Nastran
• Machine shop prototyping experience (CNC mill/router, mill, lathe, laser cutter, 3D printer)
• Experience with Python or other programming languages

• Complies with all organizational policies and procedures
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all customer and/or employee information to assure customer and/or employee rights are protected
• Adheres to policies regarding notification of absence and PTO requests
• Attends all mandatory management and staff meetings
• Represents the organization in a respectful and professional manner
• Attend and comply with annual health, safety, training, and education requirements
• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean

Physical demands:

• Complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time; occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Follow detailed complex directions, reason and problem‑solve
• The person will frequently communicate and converse with other staff; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Company participates in E-Verify
• Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment
• Nothing in this job description…