Mechanical Engineer II

Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale.
Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars.

You’ll join Fortastra’s Engineering Division. The mechanical engineering team is responsible for the physical realization of our spacecraft: structures, mechanisms, packaging, and integration that enable reliable, repeatable builds and rapid iteration across vehicles.

The Role

Fortastra is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to support the design, integration, and build of our autonomous spacecraft. This is a hands‑on, generalist mechanical role for an early‑career engineer who wants ownership across the full product lifecycle: from CAD and mechanical design to integration support on the floor.

You will contribute to spacecraft configuration, component packaging, mounts and brackets, and detailed part and assembly design. You will work closely with propulsion, avionics, GNC, thermal, and manufacturing teams to ensure the vehicle is buildable, testable, and maintainable. The ideal candidate has solid fundamentals in mechanical design and CAD, some experience taking hardware from concept to assembly, and is eager to grow into broader ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to spacecraft mechanical configuration, component layout, and system interfaces.
• Create and maintain CAD models for parts and assemblies, including mounting hardware, brackets, panels, and simple structural elements.
• Support the evolution of the overall spacecraft CAD model by adding and updating subsystem hardware under guidance from senior engineers.
• Help identify and resolve basic mechanical interferences with harnessing, cabling, avionics boxes, sensors, and other subsystem hardware.
• Generate and release detailed drawings, bills of materials, and mechanical documentation with disciplined revision control.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal engineers to support integrated mechanical solutions.
• Work with manufacturing and integration teams to ensure designs can be fabricated, assembled, and accessed for test and maintenance.
• Support bring‑up and integration activities on the floor, including fit checks, build support, and hardware rework when needed.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2 to 5 years of experience in mechanical design for spacecraft, robotics, automotive, defense, or other high‑reliability systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, Creo, Solid Works, or equivalent), including part and assembly modeling.
• Understanding of basic structures, interfaces, packaging, and mechanical integration.
• Experience creating engineering drawings, applying tolerances, and working with revision‑controlled documentation.
• Exposure to configuration management and large‑assembly practices is a plus.
• Familiarity with fabrication methods such as machining, sheet metal, and simple welded or bolted assemblies.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and take feedback from senior engineers and technicians to improve designs.

Requirements

• 5 days on‑site in Torrance, CA

Why Fortastra

We are a small, high‑impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission‑critical spacecraft…