Mechanical Engineer - Spacecraft Components and Systems

# Mechanical Engineer

## About the Role

Muon Space is seeking a skilled, hands-on, and detail-oriented **Mechanical Engineer** to support the design, analysis, build, integration, testing, and documentation of spacecraft components and systems. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working across the full hardware development lifecycle, from early design concepts through manufacturing, assembly, verification, and flight-ready delivery.

The Mechanical Engineer will support spacecraft mechanical systems by creating practical hardware designs, performing engineering analysis, coordinating with suppliers, supporting integration activities, executing tests, and maintaining accurate technical documentation. This position requires strong engineering fundamentals, careful attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams in a fast-moving aerospace environment.

The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing technical design work with hands-on build and test support. They should be able to solve mechanical engineering problems, communicate clearly with internal teams and external suppliers, and help ensure spacecraft hardware meets performance, reliability, manufacturability, and mission requirements.

## Key Responsibilities

* Design mechanical components, assemblies, structures, brackets, mechanisms, enclosures, and support hardware for spacecraft systems.
* Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, assemblies, bills of materials, interface control documents, and related technical documentation.
* Perform mechanical analysis to support design decisions, including structural, thermal, mass, tolerance, vibration, load, and manufacturability considerations.
* Support spacecraft component and system development from concept design through production, integration, test, and delivery.
* Work closely with systems engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, test, quality, and program teams.
* Support build and integration activities by resolving hardware fit, assembly, alignment, tooling, and configuration issues.
* Participate in hardware inspections, assembly reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, and failure investigations.
* Develop test plans, procedures, fixtures, and verification methods for mechanical components and spacecraft assemblies.
* Execute or support testing activities, including mechanical fit checks, environmental testing, vibration testing, thermal testing, deployment testing, and functional verification.
* Review test data, document results, identify issues, and support corrective actions.
* Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing partners on fabrication, materials, tolerances, lead times, quality issues, and technical questions.
* Review supplier drawings, quotes, manufacturing feedback, inspection results, and nonconformance reports.
* Ensure designs are practical to manufacture, assemble, inspect, test, and maintain.
* Manage technical documentation, engineering changes, configuration updates, drawing revisions, and design release packages.
* Help identify risks related to mechanical performance, schedule, manufacturability, integration, or test readiness.
* Support continuous improvement of mechanical design processes, build procedures, test methods, and documentation standards.
* Maintain strong attention to quality, reliability, safety, and mission success throughout all phases of hardware development.

## Required Qualifications

* Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical engineering experience.
* Experience designing mechanical components, assemblies, structures, or hardware systems.
* Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structures, materials, tolerances, fasteners, loads, thermal effects, and manufacturability.
* Experience with CAD software and engineering drawings.
* Ability to create clear technical documentation, drawings, specifications, test procedures, and engineering notes.
* Experience supporting hardware builds, integration, testing, troubleshooting, or manufacturing activities.
* Ability to work with cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams.
* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make practical engineering decisions.
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality hardware development.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced technical environment.
* Clear written and verbal communication skills.

## Preferred Qualifications

* Experience in aerospace, spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, defense, robotics, automotive, or other complex hardware environments.
* Experience designing hardware for harsh environments, including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, vacuum, or launch loads.
* Familiarity with spacecraft mechanical systems, payload structures, avionics packaging, thermal interfaces, harness support, mechanisms, or deployable hardware.
* Experience with finite element analysis, tolerance analysis, thermal analysis, mass properties, or structural verification.
* Experience with environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, or qualification testing.
* Familiarity with materials and processes used in aerospace hardware, including aluminum, titanium, composites, coatings, adhesives, fasteners, and additive manufacturing.
* Experience with SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Creo, CATIA, Autodesk Inventor, or similar CAD tools.
* Experience with PLM, configuration management, engineering change control, and document release processes.
* Experience working with machine shops, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and inspection teams.
* Familiarity with GD&T, ASME Y14.5, aerospace quality standards, and technical drawing practices.
* Experience working in a startup, small engineering team, or fast-moving product development environment.

## Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a practical mechanical engineer who enjoys both design work and hands-on hardware development. This person can create strong mechanical designs, but also understands how parts are built, assembled, tested, and used in real systems.

They should be comfortable working through ambiguity, solving problems during integration, and adjusting designs based on analysis, supplier feedback, test results, or program needs. The right candidate will bring strong engineering judgment, careful documentation habits, and a commitment to building reliable spacecraft hardware.

This person should be collaborative, organized, and willing to work across disciplines. They should enjoy partnering with electrical engineers, systems engineers, manufacturing teams, test engineers, and suppliers to move hardware from concept to flight-ready execution.

## Work Environment

This role will involve a combination of engineering design, analysis, documentation, supplier coordination, hardware build support, integration, and test activities. The Mechanical Engineer may spend time at a desk creating designs and documentation, as well as time in labs, cleanroom environments, manufacturing areas, test facilities, or supplier-facing technical discussions.

The position requires strong communication, careful attention to detail, and the ability to support fast-paced spacecraft development schedules. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a highly technical environment where reliability, accuracy, and mission success are critical.

## Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, location, and overall fit for the role. Benefits may include:

* Competitive salary
* Full-time employment
* Health, dental, and vision benefits
* Paid time off
* Retirement plan options
* Professional development opportunities
* Hands-on spacecraft hardware experience
* Collaborative engineering environment
* Opportunity to contribute to advanced satellite and space systems

## Equal Opportunity Statement

Muon Space is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, skills, and business needs. The company is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.