Mechanical Engineer II

About the role

As a Mechanical Engineer on the Payload Hardware team at Xona, you'll take ownership of mechanical hardware for RF systems from design through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test. From spacecraft payload electronics to antennas to MGSE (mechanical ground support equipment), your work will ensure the end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers Xona’s high-accuracy and high-precision PNT service. This is a high-ownership, fast-moving role with significant responsibility for delivering hardware on schedule, writing clear documentation, and supporting hands-on test operations. Candidates must be comfortable working in a dynamic startup environment alongside other disciplines, anticipating next steps, and driving projects forward without constant direction.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical hardware for RF systems from design through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test.
• Develop spacecraft payload electronics, antennas, and mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE).
• Ensure hardware delivers high-accuracy and high-precision PNT service.
• Deliver hardware on schedule and write clear documentation.
• Support hands-on test operations.
• Work in a dynamic startup environment, anticipating next steps and driving projects forward.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 1-4 years of aerospace mechanical design experience.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM.
• Experience owning CAD designs and generating manufacturing drawings for machined, additive manufacturing parts, and cables.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods and design trade-offs.
• Experience with design-for-manufacturing (DFM).
• Experience performing mechanical design of complex electronics enclosures.
• Experience managing configuration of top-level assemblies in CAD and creating and maintaining bills of material for assemblies to transfer to production.
• Demonstrated fundamentals with mechanical and thermal analytic abilities.
• Willing and able to travel to support off-site testing events as needed.
• Self-starter attitude and proactive in seeing projects from design through implementation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-team collaborative environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work closely with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on hardware build and test experience for space systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of flight hardware from clean sheet through flight and production handoff.
• Experience with schedule and integration requirements while working with the Assembly, Integration, and Test team.
• Knowledge of material trades for the launch and space environment.
• Experience supporting vibration and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
• Experience with procedures that govern how CAD interacts with PLM.

Security Requirements

For U.S. Roles: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles: To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles: Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.