Mechanical Engineer

Star Catcher is powering the future of space by building the world’s first orbital energy grid: the Star Catcher Network. Spacecraft connect into the Star Catcher Network and receive conditioned energy via their existing solar arrays, requiring no retrofit to utilize the first true space-based infrastructure. The Star Catcher Network provides power as needed from tens of Watts to tens of thousands of Watts at concentrations from fractions of a Sun of flux to ten Suns of flux. The Star Catcher Network enables More Uptime, More Bandwidth, and More Mission.

About the role

We seek individuals who share our passion for enabling people to do more in space and are not afraid to get their hands dirty to make our vision of the future reality. This role will support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its orbital power grid. The Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for design, analysis, and implementation of mechanical systems and components used on spacecraft, satellites, and other space-related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical systems and components including payload and spacecraft structures, thermal control systems, and structural frameworks; creating detailed specifications, drawings, and models.
• Develop and test prototypes of mechanical components and systems to verify their performance and reliability.
• Oversee the manufacturing and assembly of mechanical components and work with suppliers and manufacturers to procure parts, ensuring they meet design specifications and quality standards.
• Work closely with a cross-functional team to integrate mechanical systems and components into spacecraft, satellites, and other systems and ensure that materials are compatible with design specifications and operational requirements.
• Support hands-on build of flight and ground test hardware.
• Create detailed documentation for designs, analyses, and testing procedures, including writing technical reports, test plans, analysis reports, system design documents, and interface control documents.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets related to mechanical engineering tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, structural, or aerospace Engineering, or a related field; Master’s or PhD preferred.
• At least five years of experience designing, analyzing, and building mechanical structures in an aerospace manufacturing environment or other relevant industry experience.
• Creative problem-solving skills, with the capability to develop innovative solutions to advanced engineering challenges.
• U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or protected individual status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligibility to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical design principles and CAD software.
• Ability to analyze complex mechanical systems and solve engineering problems effectively.
• Familiarity with space industry regulations and safety standards relevant to space missions and operations.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interface with the team and organization and prioritize tasks, projects, and personnel from a variety of disciplines.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package.