Mechanical Design Engineer

O VERVIEW
Must be a US Citizen
Duration - 2 year contract position with potential to be extended or converted
W2 with full benefits, 9/80 Work Schedule
Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.
Location - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (onsite)
Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen
Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Mechanical Engineer will support the Manufacturing, Packaging & Test Services Section, contributing to the design, development, fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of space flight electronics, microelectronics, photonic hardware, and ground support equipment. This role blends advanced mechanical design capabilities with strong technical design execution, requiring broad knowledge of mechanical systems, electronic packaging, CAD modeling, and hardware manufacturing processes.

• Coordinate with product delivery leads, technical leads, proposal managers, and project management.
• Participate in and sometimes lead design teams to develop space flight and ground support electronic hardware, subsystems, and components.
• Generate detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, layouts, sketches, and design studies using NX or comparable tools.
• Create and revise designs for components, subsystems, and systems to improve manufacturability, structural integrity, performance, and compliance with engineering standards.
• Interface with packaging and manufacturing engineers, designers, analysts, machine shop, Quality Assurance, and project staff.
• Plan and produce work instructions for fabrication and assembly of electronic packaging, cable harnesses, and mechanical assemblies.
• Prepare for and participate in technical design reviews, including presenting design content and addressing action items.
• Solve complex mechanical and packaging design problems, perform trade studies, and develop design requirements supporting hardware qualification and fabrication workflows.
• Coordinate design criteria including ease of manufacture, material availability, and contractual specifications with engineering, materials, and planning groups.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Advanced understanding and application of mechanical engineering principles including structures, configuration, mechanisms, structural analysis, integration, and test.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline, with corresponding experience levels.
• Strong proficiency with CAD tools such as NX or SolidWorks; experience with recent NX versions preferred.
• Knowledge and practical application of ASME Y14.xx and Y14.5 GD&T standards.
• Broad experience in mechanical and electronic packaging design, including printed wiring board (PWB) design, mechanical chassis, manufacturing processes, and cable harness assembly.
• Ability to independently execute mechanical design activities, coordinate fabrication and assembly, and support hardware qualification.
• Strong communication, organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines in a team environment.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Experience with spacecraft flight electronic hardware development and test.
• Working knowledge of JPL drawing release processes and inspection documentation.
• Knowledge of soldering operations, cable assembly, SMT electronics manufacturing, and electro-mechanical analyses (thermal, structural, venting).
• Experience with PWB design tools such as Mentor or Altium.
• Experience interfacing with vendors and fabrication services for mechanical, electronic, and PWB manufacturing.
• Familiarity with applicable NASA, JPL, and government standards, policies, and procedures.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action

Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a federal contractor, Columbus participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.