Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer – Space Robotics and Mechanisms

This long-term contract Mechanical Design Engineer role focuses on developing mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, precision mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment. You will own hardware from early concept through detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and delivery. The position is ideal for a practical, hands-on mechanical engineer with strong CAD fundamentals, sound engineering judgment, and a passion for creating reliable, manufacturable hardware for demanding spaceflight environments.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, precision mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Lead mechanical design for mechanisms involving multiple components working together in motion, including robotics, motors, and bearings.
• Develop CAD models and detailed drawings using SolidWorks, applying GD&T and tight tolerances to ensure high precision and manufacturability.
• Support the full product lifecycle from concept development through detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and final delivery.
• Collaborate with analysts and systems engineers to understand and incorporate environmental requirements such as thermal, shock, and vibration into designs.
• Perform engineering analysis including hand calculations, tolerance analysis, and simpler FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to validate and refine designs.
• Design for manufacturability (DFM), ensuring that components and assemblies can be produced efficiently and reliably for spaceflight applications.
• Support R&D and prototype development for space mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical systems, and related tooling and ground support equipment.
• Participate in reviews of mechanical designs, drawings, and analyses to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry best practices.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, implement design improvements, and support integration and test activities.
• Contribute to multi-year space and aerospace projects by delivering robust motion control and mechanical solutions for extreme environments throughout the solar system.

Essential Skills

• 3–10 years of experience in mechanical systems design for space, defense, or commercial aerospace applications.
• Strong in mechanical design engineering from concept through CAD design and prototype production.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D design, CAD modeling, and creation of detailed mechanical drawings.
• Demonstrated experience with mechanisms design, including mechanical systems with multiple components in motion such as robotics, motors, and bearings.
• Hands-on experience with R&D and prototype development of space mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical systems, tooling, and ground support equipment.
• Strong understanding and practical application of GD&T for high-precision mechanical designs.
• Ability to perform engineering analysis including hand calculations, simpler FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and tolerance analysis.
• Ability to interpret and design to environmental requirements such as thermal, shock, and vibration, and to work with analysts to assess design performance.
• Solid mechanical engineering fundamentals and sound engineering judgment applied to demanding spaceflight environments.
• Experience with design for manufacturability (DFM) and creating reliable, manufacturable hardware for extreme environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with spaceflight hardware, spacecraft, space systems, or spacecraft systems.
• in space, military, defense projects, commercial aerospace, or robotics industries.
• Experience in new product development and engineering for advanced motion control and electro-mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with additional CAD and analysis tools such as CATIA, NX (Unigraphics NX), or similar platforms.
• Experience with FEA analysis beyond basic cases is beneficial.
• Exposure to motion control system solutions for extreme or hostile environments.
• Ability to operate effectively in a small, growing organization where team members wear multiple hats and contribute across disciplines.

Work Environment

This role is based at a Pasadena facility associated with a former specialized space systems provider. You will work in a small and growing company of approximately 40+ employees, where team members wear multiple hats and contribute across the full spectrum of engineering through manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems. The culture emphasizes problem solving, flexibility, rapid response, and on-time delivery, driven by the realities of orbital mechanics and space mission schedules. The organization develops motion control and mechanical solutions for extreme environments throughout the solar system, supporting multiple exciting projects including motion control electronics and mechanisms for missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The environment is collaborative and hands-on, with close interaction between design, analysis, manufacturing, and test teams, and offers significant opportunities for growth through multi-year projects and an expanding project backlog.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Pasadena, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Pasadena, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.