Mechanical Engineer II, Spacecraft Structures & Missions
$144,000–$177,000 year
HybridSan Jose, California, United States
Job Summary
Own the mechanical execution of an assigned mission end-to-end, from requirements through design, build, integration, and environmental test. Tailor platform components to mission needs by designing new mission-specific components and payload accommodations. Create and manage spacecraft-level mechanical assemblies in SolidWorks, including envelopes, interfaces, and configuration control. Perform first-order structural and thermal sizing to guide designs, partnering with dedicated analysis groups for detailed analysis. Produce and release engineering documentation: drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets through ECO/DCO processes. Support environmental test campaigns (vibration, TVAC) and spacecraft integration alongside production and test teams. Write build procedures and support hardware assembly and integration on the floor. Present your work in design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR) and coordinate across systems, thermal, avionics, and payload teams.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience designing, building, and testing mechanical hardware for complex systems
- Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test
- Structural analysis fundamentals: hand calculations, margin assessment, and familiarity with FEA
- Proficiency in CAD for medium-to-large assembly design and management (SolidWorks preferred)
- Solid command of drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets
- Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills
- A strong desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week
- Applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency
Desired Qualifications
- Space industry experience — spacecraft, launch vehicles, or flight hardware
- Experience running or supporting environmental test campaigns (vibration, TVAC)
- Hands-on FEA experience (FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar)
- Experience with PLM systems and formal change control
- Experience with deployable hardware or precision mechanisms
- Software skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar
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