Mechanical Aerospace Engineer - Deployable Space Systems

Role Title: Mechanical Aerospace Engineer – Deployable Space Systems

Overview

An early-stage, venture-backed aerospace and defense organization is entering its active hardware development phase following a successful transition from conceptual design to flight-test preparation. The company is developing reusable orbital vehicle technology focused on deployable space systems, satellite propulsion and fuel architectures, and rapid-response orbital mission capability.

With an upcoming atmospheric drop test scheduled for July 2026, the organization is expanding its core engineering team ahead of a major hiring wave in July–August 2026.

This is a high-autonomy, hands-on role suited for engineers who have worked on real flight hardware and are comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments where execution speed and engineering rigor are equally critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to mechanical design of deployable aerospace systems for orbital and suborbital applications
• Develop and iterate CAD models for spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and integrated flight hardware
• Support full lifecycle development: concept → design → prototyping → testing → flight validation
• Design lightweight, high-reliability mechanical systems for space and atmospheric conditions
• Participate in rapid design-build-test cycles tied to upcoming flight and drop-test campaigns
• Work cross-functionally with propulsion, systems engineering, and test teams
• Support hardware integration, troubleshooting, and test campaign execution
• Contribute to design decisions that directly impact flight performance and mission success

Required Experience

• 5 years of mechanical/aerospace design experience (or equivalent high-impact experience)
• Strong CAD expertise (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, or similar)
• Direct experience with flight hardware or aerospace systems
• Background in at least one of the following:
• Deployable space structures or mechanisms
• Spacecraft or launch vehicle systems
• Aerospace test and validation environments
• Precision mechanical systems under extreme environments
• Proven ability to operate in fast-paced engineering environments with minimal oversight

Location Preference

Primary and flexible locations:

• Florida (preferred) – near Kennedy Space Center
• Arizona (secondary engineering hub option)

Compensation & Structure

• Base salary: ~$96,000 – $120,000 Equity participation available after Year 1
• Structured salary increase following first year completion (performance company milestones)

Business Context

The organization is:

• Funded through defense and Space Force-aligned programs
• Focused on responsive space, reusable orbital systems, and deployable spacecraft technology
• Transitioning from prototype development into active engineering and flight validation
• Building capabilities in:
• Satellite fuel systems
• Deployable orbital structures
• Rapid mission reconstitution technologies
• Hypersonic-capable atmospheric test systems

The team operates lean, highly technical, and execution-driven, with significant emphasis on real-world testing and rapid iteration cycles.