VP of Mechanical Engineering (Aerosapce/Defense Experience REQUIRED)

About the Role

NAVXCOM is seeking a strategic Vice President of Mechanical Engineering to architect the physical structures, mechanisms, and thermal management systems of our deployment platforms. You will lead the development of the mechanical architecture that houses our avionics, protects our systems, and enables physical mobility and deployment in the harsh environment of space. This is a high-reliability aerospace hardware role bridging the gap between high-level mission requirements and physical, fabricated parts. You will define the mechanical engineering culture, selecting CAD and FEA tools, driving material selection, and establishing testing methodologies to ensure hardware survives launch vibrations and deep-space thermal realities. In this early stage, you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and execute low-level, day-to-day design and project management tasks from initiation to closeout.

Why Join NAVXCOM

• Hardware for the Cosmos: Your boards and systems will operate beyond Earth's atmosphere.
• Architectural Freedom: Define the electrical architecture from a blank slate, not reverse-engineering legacy hardware.
• High-Stakes Engineering: Solve complex problems where thermal management, radiation, strict power budgets, and physics collide.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Architecture & Strategy
  • Define the end-to-end mechanical architecture: from structural chassis and protective enclosures to complex deployable mechanisms (e.g., antennas, solar arrays).
  • Architect physical structures and mobility systems for exploration rovers and ruggedized housings for ground/orbital communication terminals.
  • Develop material selection and manufacturing strategy, optimizing for mass, strength, outgassing properties, and thermal conductivity in space environments.
• Development & Execution
  • Directly design, execute, and oversee 3D CAD modeling, drafting (GD&T), and the fabrication/machining pipeline for all internal hardware.
  • Perform hands-on structural (FEA) and thermal (CFD) simulations to ensure hardware survives extreme launch loads and orbital thermal cycling.
  • Manage rapid prototyping efforts using CNC machining, 3D printing, and iterative design cycles to validate concepts before flight-model production.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Electrical, Software, Quality, and GNC teams to package electronics, route cabling, and ensure physical sensors (cameras, IMUs) are mounted to exact tolerances.
  • Collaborate with Electrical Engineering to design thermal management pathways for high-power avionics and computing modules in a vacuum.
• Dual-Use & Reliability
  • Develop robust, ruggedized structures for spacecraft and rovers to survive impact, dust mitigation, and localized hardware stress.
  • Apply durable mechanical principles to terrestrial markets, such as deep-sea robotics, automotive safety systems, or remote industrial enclosures.
• Leadership & Team Building
  • Recruit and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, CAD designers, thermal specialists, and test technicians (post-funding).
  • Enforce rigorous hardware design, review, and manufacturing standards for safety-critical systems.

Requirements

• Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
  • 10+ years in mechanical engineering with experience designing hardware for aerospace, robotics, defense, or extreme environments.
  • Expert proficiency in 3D CAD systems (SolidWorks, NX, or similar) and advanced simulation tools for structural and thermal analysis (ANSYS, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop). Mastery of GD&T.
  • Experience designing and shipping hardware for safety-critical or regulated industries.
  • U.S. citizen with active TS/SCI security clearance or clear eligibility to obtain one.
  • A "Test-Like-You-Fly" mentality with exceptional collaborative skills to integrate systems cross-functionally and iterate quickly in a hands-on startup environment.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Deep expertise in aerospace thermal management (radiators, heat pipes, multi-layer insulation [MLI]).
  • Experience with kinematic mechanisms, robotics, or rover mobility systems (suspensions, drive trains, actuators).
  • Hands-on familiarity with aerospace environmental testing campaigns (Thermal Vacuum [TVAC], vibe, acoustic, shock).
  • Previous experience in a technical leadership role within a hardware-heavy startup.

Compensation & Commitment

• Compensation: No salary initially (unpaid until funding is secured).
• Equity: 5% equity in NAVXCOM at no cost, vested over 2 years.
• Hours: Output-driven with no minimum or maximum weekly hour requirement until funding is secured.
• Location: Remote initially. Must be able to commute to the Denver area office post-funding.
• Commitment: Must contribute meaningfully toward achieving preliminary technical and funding milestones.