Principal Mechanical Engineer

To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About the role

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you.

We are looking to add a Principal Mechanical Engineer to our team. In this position, you will lead a team of engineers responsible for mechanical aspects of CesiumAstro spacecraft, subsystems, and interfaces through all phases of the development process. The ideal candidate will be versatile and proficient in mechanical design, electronics packaging, computer-aided design (CAD), mechanical interfaces, thermal architecture, deployable and actuated structures, and environmental qualification of spacecraft.

As a CesiumAstro spacecraft team lead and responsible mechanical authority, you will manage a small team to develop satellites and put them in orbit. You will deliver robust mechanical designs from concept through space flight, including requirements definition, architecture trades and block diagrams, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, and in-orbit support. You will collaborate closely with GNC, EPS, CDH, Payload, RF, Systems, and AI&T teams.

The successful candidate will present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers responsible for mechanical aspects of spacecraft, subsystems, and interfaces through all development phases.
• Direct, mentor, and grow a team of engineers in the design of novel satellites.
• Develop robust mechanical designs from concept through space flight, including requirements definition, architecture trades, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, and in-orbit support.
• Collaborate with GNC, EPS, CDH, Payload, RF, Systems, and AI&T teams.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and the executive team.
• Participate in proposal-writing efforts.
• Support subsystem leads with clear mechanical interfaces and cross-functional alignment.
• Conduct architectural trade studies, including parametric and first-order cost and physical analysis.
• Review structural and thermal analysis to ensure designs meet requirements and manufacturability needs.
• Support environmental test campaigns (vibe, shock, TVAC).

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university or institution.
• 11 years of experience in communications satellite structures and mechanisms design from concept design to decommissioning across multiple programs.
• At least 5 years of experience leading technical teams.
• Significant contributions to multiple flight missions, plus lead ownership of one or more full mechanical development cycles at the space vehicle level.
• Hands-on experience in satellite and large instrument AI&T that leads directly to design implementation.
• Experience including failure and recovery of mechanism operations in test and in operations, as well as loss of mission due to mechanism failure.
• At least one experience with a structural failure in environmental test and recovery from that failure.
• Strong fundamentals including mechanics of materials, hand calculations, and engineering rules of thumb.
• Experience with professional mechanical and FEA CAD tools, such as SolidWorks Simulation, Ansys, and Nastran.
• Expertise in CNC manufacturing and GD&T as evidenced by ability to implement and critique mechanical drawings.
• Experience with design and manufacturing of composite sandwich panels, including understanding of trades and benefits in satellite structures.
• Experience in designing spacecraft primary and secondary structures in a variety of materials.
• Familiarity with design for test, manufacturability, assembly, and reliability.
• Familiarity with spacecraft AI&T.
• Hands-on experience supporting environmental test campaigns (vibe, shock, TVAC).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience including LEO, GEO, and beyond.
• Experience ranging from CubeSats and SmallSats to large GEO satellites.
• Python or other scripting capability.
• Experience with two or more spacecraft structural and mechanical architectures, driving vision for the next generation of spacecraft.

Pay

$142,000 - $189,000 a year

Benefits

• Company stock options.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• HSA and FSA options.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plans.