Engineer Principal – Spacecraft Mechanical Design

About the role

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical effort for new spacecraft and spacecraft bus in the unclassified and classified environment from proposal phase through award, detailed design, fabrication, assembly, test, and requirement verification.
• Define, maintain, iterate, and verify the mechanical requirements that are needed to meet the system and other subsystem requirements and interfaces.
• Generate, iterate, maintain, and release the spacecraft configuration, primary/secondary structure design, and mechanism architecture that meet system and subsystem requirements.
• Perform CAD work and simple hand structural analysis calculations during proposal and program initial startup.
• Transition to leading a team of 5-10 design and analysis engineers, with the majority of time spent leading the team and communicating with internal and external customers.
• Transition to leading a team of 5-40 design, analysis, test, and manufacturing engineers responsible for fabrication, assembly, and test, with the majority of time spent leading the team and resolving complex technical issues.
• Coordinate with personnel from all other spacecraft subsystems, including external interfaces such as customers, customer consultants, payload providers, and launch vehicle providers.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, Strategic Business Units, Strategic Support Units, and the Company.
• Interact appropriately with others to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Actively mentor junior engineers.
• Partner with Leadership to evolve the department and enhance capabilities/technology roadmaps.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Work Environment

• On-site work requiring regular in-person engagement five days each normally scheduled week at the primary work location.
• Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors, or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Requirements

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years of related experience.
• Each higher-level degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Degree must be from a university, college, or school accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education or US Department of Education.
• Experience in spacecraft, aerospace instrument, structure, mechanism, sensor, and/or rotating machinery design.
• Experience using CAD software.
• Demonstrated creativity in mechanical engineering design.
• Demonstrated design analysis capability.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and program acumen: leads cross-functional teams through all phases of the program lifecycle, exercising strong engineering judgment and critical thinking to balance technical, schedule, and cost priorities.
• Prior participation in written and/or oral proposal activities for civil and/or military customers.
• Must be willing and eligible for security clearance or access submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.

Preferred Qualifications

• SolidWorks proficiency (or equivalent CAD software).

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $118,095 - $200,762. Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program and legal plan.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and other types of leave including paid parental, military, bereavement, and applicable federal and state sick leave.
• Employee recognition program with monetary or non-monetary awards.
• Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.