Mechanical Engineer

Job Description Job Description Mechanical Engineer Location: Hawthorne, CA (Los Angeles Area) | Onsite About the Opportunity A stealth-mode, venture-backed space technology startup in the Los Angeles area is building a first-of-its-kind solution to extend the impact of solar energy after sunset. With recent Series A funding from top-tier investors, this ~20-person engineering team is preparing for their inaugural orbital launch in 2026. The company is led by proven experts in aerospace hardware and rapid innovation. Why Join? Shape the design and foundation of a new generation of space-based systems. Work directly with a talented, multidisciplinary engineering team. Own projects from concept to orbit, with real impact and autonomy. Help deliver technology that can transform the future of energy and sustainability. Role Overview As a Mechanical Engineer, you will take ownership of designing, prototyping, and flight-validating critical spacecraft components and integrated mechanical systems on tight deadlines. Your focus will be on delivering functional, flight-ready hardware that balances simplicity, scrappiness, analytical rigor, and ingenuity. Key Responsibilities Deliver flight-ready spacecraft components and mechanisms. Lead hardware from conceptual design through qualification and on-orbit operation. Perform and correlate analysis to ensure component reliability in the space environment. Collaborate closely with other engineers to design complex, interdependent systems. Rapidly iterate on designs, prototypes, and testing for mission-critical hardware. Ideal Qualifications Experience owning spacecraft (or similarly complex) components from clean-sheet design through to successful deployment. Deep CAD experience and proficiency. Expertise in the design of bolted joints and mechanical interfaces. Strong intuition for manufacturing tolerances and shop capabilities. Proven ability to collaboratively design and deliver complex, interdependent hardware systems. Bonus Points For Experience with spaceflight hardware or other high-reliability, mission-critical systems. Prior work in fast-paced, early-stage engineering environments. Education Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field is required. A Master's degree or PhD in a relevant discipline is a strong plus. Equivalent hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and validating mechanical systems for spacecraft, robotics, or other complex electromechanical platforms may be considered in lieu of a formal degree for exceptional candidates. Compensation Level 1$90K – $110K • Offers Equity Level 2$100K – $125K • Offers Equity Level 3$130K – $160K • Offers Equity Level 4$150K – $180K • Offers Equity