Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Test & R&D)

Responsibilities

• mechatronics test beds, environmental test fixtures, CNC machining fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
• from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, test, and deployment.
• Design and develop mechanical test beds and integrated test systems for component, subsystem, and system-level testing.
• Develop structures, frames, mechanisms, motion systems, fixtures, mounts, enclosures, and equipment interfaces.
• Integrate mechanical hardware with sensors, actuators, motors, instrumentation, electrical systems, and controls.
• Design fixtures and GSE supporting environmental testing, including vibration, thermal, vacuum, thermal-vacuum, shock, and other qualification/development testing.
• Design hardware capable of maintaining required structural, thermal, and dimensional performance throughout environmental test conditions.
• Develop interfaces between flight/development hardware and external test equipment.
• Perform appropriate structural, tolerance, thermal, and load-path analysis or coordinate analysis with the appropriate engineering teams.
• Design CNC workholding and fixturing for complex aerospace components and assemblies.
• Develop fixtures, soft jaws, nests, locating schemes, modular workholding, and inspection fixtures.
• Design fixtures around GD&T, datums, machining processes, tool access, workholding requirements, and part deformation considerations.
• Design and develop GSE for transportation, handling, assembly, integration, testing, servicing, and maintenance of aerospace hardware.
• Develop lifting fixtures, handling carts, transportation fixtures, assembly stands, work stands, protective covers, access platforms, and specialized support equipment.
• Design GSE around hardware interfaces, center of gravity, load paths, handling requirements, operational constraints, and personnel safety.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Develop concepts from incomplete or evolving requirements and rapidly iterate toward workable solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of mechanical design engineering experience
• Experience designing hardware intended for CNC machining, welding, fabrication, and/or additive manufacturing.

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware development environment.”
• Experience designing

mechatronics test systems or automated test equipment

• Experience with environmental testing, particularly vibration, thermal, thermal-vacuum, or shock testing.
• Experience designing GSE for aerospace hardware.
• Experience with CNC machining and CNC workholding/fixture design.
• Familiarity with load cells, accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure sensors, LVDTs, displacement sensors, and other test instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience using 3D CAD to create mechanical designs and detailed manufacturing drawings
• Experience integrating motors, actuators, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, sensors, and electrical components into mechanical test equipment.
• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, or thermal analysis.
• Experience designing for vacuum or cryogenic environments.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with ASME Y14.5 and aerospace drawing standards.
• Experience supporting hardware through environmental qualification or acceptance testing.
• Experience working directly with machine shops and fabrication vendors.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development.
• Demonstrated experience designing mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, GSE, or production equipment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, GD&T, tolerancing, materials, fasteners, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to independently take a concept from requirements through design, fabrication, assembly, and testing.

Preferred Qualifications

Work Environment

Combination of office and manufacturing floor environments

• Frequent interaction with CNC machines, fabrication equipment, and production hardware
• Hands-on support of active production and integration operations may be required
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work around industrial equipment safely

Benefits and Perks

Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration

Equity ownership in the company

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave

Home office set up reimbursement

• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

Compensation

$157,000 - $177,000 / year