Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer

We have an outstanding Contract to Hire position for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join a leading Company located in the Long Beach, CA or Centennial, CO surrounding area.

Pay Rate: $65.00 - $85.00

**US Citizenship is required.**

**Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.**

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be at the forefront of designing and developing the next generation of spacecraft that define the future of space security and sustainability. From LEO/GEO satellites to small sat platforms and on-orbit servicing vehicles, you will own the mechanical design of flight systems that operate in some of the most demanding environments known to engineering. This is a rare opportunity to shape vehicle architecture from the ground up - translating mission requirements into flight-ready hardware that safeguards access to space for the U.S. and its allies.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical structures, mechanisms, and assemblies for LEO/GEO satellites, small sat platforms, and on-orbit servicing vehicles, ensuring designs meet performance, mass, and reliability requirements across the full hardware lifecycle.
• Own end-to-end development of spacecraft structural systems and mechanisms - from concept and trade studies through prototyping, qualification, and flight hardware delivery.
• Design and develop primary and secondary structures sized for launch load environments, including sine burst, random vibration, and shock, in compliance with launch vehicle ICD requirements.
• Lead the design of spacecraft mechanisms and deployment systems, including hinges, hold-down and release mechanisms, solar array drives, antenna pointing systems, and other precision moving assemblies for on-orbit operation.
• Package and integrate electronics assemblies and avionics hardware within the spacecraft structure, accounting for thermal interface requirements, EMI shielding, harness routing, and accessibility for integration and test.
• Support propulsion system integration, including structural mounting, propellant line routing, thruster bracket design, and compliance with propulsion subsystem interface requirements.
• Develop and manage detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for spacecraft components, subsystems, and assemblies using NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks, maintaining configuration integrity throughout the program.
• Define and enforce GD&T standards on piece part and assembly drawings, and review supplier and team deliverables for compliance.
• Lead and present at spacecraft design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and drive resolution of technical risks, open actions, and subsystem interface trades.
• Serve as a key technical interface with structures, thermal, avionics, mechanisms, and propulsion teams to validate designs and ensure compliance with mission and environmental requirements.
• Develop and execute test plans to support structural and mechanisms qualification, acceptance testing, and on-orbit deployment verification.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, continuous improvement, and spacecraft engineering best practices.

Basic Hiring Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 3-10 years of professional experience in mechanical design, with direct experience in spacecraft or satellite hardware development.
• Demonstrated experience designing structures for launch load environments, including familiarity with launch vehicle user guides, load cycle definition, and structural margin compliance.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft mechanisms design, including deployment systems, release mechanisms, or other flight-qualified moving assemblies.
• Experience packaging electronics and avionics hardware within spacecraft structures, with an understanding of thermal interface management, harness routing, and integration constraints.
• Familiarity with propulsion system mechanical integration, including thruster and tank mounting, propellant line design, and interface requirements.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and drawing creation in NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks, including complex spacecraft assemblies and configuration management.
• Deep knowledge of GD&T principles and ability to define, review, and enforce standards across a program.
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to spacecraft hardware development from concept through delivery.
• Experience with configuration management, MES, and PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical content clearly to both engineering and leadership audiences.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5 years of experience specifically in LEO/GEO satellite, small sat, or on-orbit servicing vehicle mechanical design.
• Experience with smallsat or CubeSat platforms, including mass-constrained design, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) component integration, and compressed development schedules.
• Experience with on-orbit servicing or proximity operations vehicles, including docking mechanisms, capture systems, or servicer-to-client structural interfaces.
• Familiarity with structural analysis methods and FEA tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Ansys) and ability to interpret and apply results to drive design decisions.
• Experience leading spacecraft design reviews and managing technical risk across a subsystem or full vehicle.
• Track record of innovative problem-solving under mass, volume, and schedule constraints typical of spacecraft programs.
• Familiarity with relevant aerospace and spacecraft standards (e.g., NASA-STD-5001, GEVS, MIL-SPEC, AIAA S-110) and their application to design and test.
• Experience interfacing directly with machine shops, fabrication vendors, and manufacturing teams to support DFM and flight hardware producibility.
• Experience working in a startup or fast-paced environment with compressed development timelines.
• Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or above), or ability and willingness to obtain one.

This position requires access to technologies and hardware subject to US national security-based export control requirements. All applicants must be US Persons (8 USC 1324b(a)(3)), or otherwise authorized by the U.S. Government. No company sponsorship will be offered.

Benefits offered vary by contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, and affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.