Head of Mechanical Design

Head of Mechanical Design

About the Company

Building off-Earth foundries that use space’s ultra-high vacuum to manufacture semiconductor materials.

Industry
Aviation & Aerospace

Type
Privately Held, VC-backed

About the Role

The Company is seeking a Head of Mechanical Design to play a pivotal role in the development of off-Earth foundries. This hands-on leadership position is at the forefront of creating the next industrial capability, with a focus on real hardware, rapid iteration, and a first-principles approach to design. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the mechanical design and R&D of Fabships, translating mission and business requirements into manufacturable hardware, and defining the mechanical team's operational standards. This includes owning major CAD assemblies, maintaining strong configuration discipline, and leading the design process from concept to integration. The role demands a strong background in mechanical engineering, with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years' experience in developing complex hardware products. Proficiency in modern 3D CAD platforms, mechanical design fundamentals, and hands-on experience with hardware assembly and integration are essential. Applicants for the Head of Mechanical Design position at the company should be adept at working with metallic materials and space-rated components, and have a proven track record of applying lessons learned to improve design robustness and manufacturability. The ideal candidate will have experience in high-reliability environments, such as aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing, and be familiar with the challenges of designing for vacuum, thermal, and shock environments. Strong communication skills, the ability to mentor and lead a growing team, and a background in early-stage or high-growth environments are also highly valued. The company is particularly interested in individuals who are self-starters, capable of operating in ambiguous environments, and who have a strong focus on execution and collaboration.

Functions

• Design
• Engineering