Lead Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Lead mechanical design and analysis activities for flight hardware and ground support equipment.
• Own spacecraft mechanical configurations, including structural layout, payload integration, inertia balancing, and volume optimization.
• Hire, train, and develop mechanical engineering staff across multiple programs.
• Generate, review, approve, and oversee mechanical and structural design artifacts, engineering drawings, and analysis reports.
• Work cradle-to-grave on new spacecraft designs, from initial development through on-site spacecraft build, test, and flight operations.
• Create and deliver content for design reviews, verification matrices, and environmental test campaigns.

What It Takes

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant spacecraft mechanical design and analysis experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of technical team management experience.
• Experience with conceptual, detailed design, and integration phases of spacecraft programs.
• Strong knowledge of structural design, including high-stiffness, lightweight space structures and pressurized system design principles.
• Familiarity with commercial, industry, and other mechanical specifications and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively across disciplines.
• Proficiency developing large mechanical assemblies in PTC Creo and Windchill.
• Strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Exposure to spacecraft integration, mission readiness reviews, and operations.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience with spacecraft systems for GEO, cislunar, and/or deep space missions.
• Experience with Microsoft Project or equivalent tools for schedule development and tracking.

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead the execution and design of core mechanical systems for in-space platforms.
• Innovation – Shape mechanical architectures that support agile, long-life spacecraft missions.
• Impact – Build systems that directly enable critical scientific, defense, and commercial operations.
• Growth – Be a technical and organizational leader on a high-performance engineering team.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.

Location

Rockville, Maryland

Compensation

$125,000 - $200,000 Annual Salary

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.