Mechanism Engineer II

New companies, spacecraft and technologies are needing greater capabilities in smaller packages, pointing systems and mechanisms that weren’t needed before. This is where Propel Space thrives. Propel Space is developing miniaturized, low-cost and low lead time mechanisms that provide customers greater maneuverability, dexterity, and functionality that increases their own missions. We’re filling the supply chain gap for this hardware to enable the next generation of industry transforming spacecraft. Propel Space also takes the design functionality of our own products and enables new and unique bespoke mechanism solutions to meet specific customer needs at lower costs and lead times. The next wave of AI datacenters on orbit, refueling vehicles, servicing, inspection, re-entry systems—they all need reliable mechanisms to give them an edge within the industry. Propel Space is that edge.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Mechanisms Engineer II to take end-to-end ownership of in-house mechanical systems and moving hardware; not just their design, but their operational performance through launch and on-orbit. Real flight hardware that works is the role. Whether the hardware has to deploy, actuate, separate, release, or point, this role is intended to make systems that survive and operate in the harsh realities of spaceflight. Documentation and analysis will support that mission, but the ultimate measure of success is hardware that works reliably in the real world.

You will deliver robust, spacecraft mechanisms capable of full mission operation. The role spans deployable systems, hinges, latches, release systems, actuators, gimbals, booms, thermal-mechanical interfaces, tooling, test equipment, and whatever else is required to make the mechanisms function as needed.

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Develop and support spacecraft mechanisms from first concept through on-orbit operations
• Design moving flight hardware, deployment systems, actuators, interfaces, and mechanical subsystems for numerous mechanism products and customer solutions
• Debug real hardware failures and rapidly close the loop through redesign and iteration
• Participate directly in build, integration, environmental testing and on-orbit operations
• Work in a rapid hardware development environment where designs quickly become flight articles

You are a key development engineer for mechanisms and moving hardware that flies. When the vehicle is on the pad, or on-orbit, you own how your systems behave.

Responsibilities

• Designing and delivering spacecraft mechanisms, deployable systems, actuation systems, and supporting flight hardware
• Managing trade studies, supplier strategy, and ownership of design/build/deploy schedules, milestones, and blockers
• Owning hardware through manufacturing, assembly, integration, test, and on-orbit
• Creating tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and GSE necessary to validate and operate spacecraft mechanisms
• Defining functional requirements, load paths, tolerances, life-cycle behavior, and failure modes of mechanical systems
• Performing tolerance analysis, mechanism sizing, and dynamic assessments to ensure reliable operation across all mission environments
• Leading build and integration activities and resolving real-time hardware issues
• Defining and executing qualification and acceptance testing for moving flight hardware
• Investigating anomalies and implementing corrective design changes
• Managing interfaces between mechanisms and other spacecraft groups and hardware
• Iterating hardware based on test and flight data to improve reliability, operability, and turnaround time

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• 3+ years developing flight mechanical systems with direct responsibility for hardware performance on satellites, deployment systems, pointing mechanisms or other unique mechanisms
• Hands-on experience designing, building, integrating, and troubleshooting mechanical systems
• An emphasis for prototyping hardware solutions to find the ways NOT to develop a system
• Ability to operate effectively in fast build-test-iterate environments
• Demonstrated ownership of hardware through environmental testing and flight operations
• Strong first principles and intuition for mechanical system behavior, tolerance stack-up, friction, wear, preload, and failure modes under real operating conditions
• Systems engineering mentality understanding impacts with, or from, thermal, electrical, software controls and other flight-like impacts and environments
• Experience designing mechanisms, deployment systems, latching systems, hinges, release devices, or actuation systems
• Strong GD&T capability (ASME Y14.5)
• Proficiency in 3D CAD Assembly instruction development along with test documentation generation
• Experience selecting materials, bearings, lubricants, coatings, and manufacturing processes for aerospace hardware

Qualifications

• Spacecraft mechanisms or deployable flight systems
• Separation systems, release mechanisms, or docking interfaces
• Vacuum-compatible mechanical design and tribology
• Thermal distortion and tolerance-sensitive assemblies
• Pyroshock, vibration, and dynamic deployment environments
• Designing tooling and production fixtures
• Precision assemblies and alignment-sensitive hardware
• Working with PDM, PLM and testing tools and systems
• SMC-S-016 and/or NASA GEVS environments
• Early-stage hardware startup experience

Schedule

We are based in Westminster, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.

Pay

Base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $130,000 + equity in the company. Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.