Design Engineer

Location

San Francisco

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Airframe

Compensation

• $160K – $200K

WHO YOU ARE

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Structures Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in structural design principles and a passion for solving challenging aerospace problems. You’re eager to apply your engineering education and early career experience to real aircraft hardware, while learning from experienced engineers across disciplines. You’ll play a key role in helping to design, analyze, and test advanced aerospace structures that directly contribute to the performance and safety of our vehicles.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Contribute to the design and analysis of composite and metallic structures for high-performance aircraft
• Support structural layout and configuration development with guidance from senior engineers
• Perform CAD modeling, drawings, and basic structural analysis (hand calcs and FEA)
• Assist with trade studies balancing performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (aero, propulsion, manufacturing, test) to define and support structural requirements
• Participate in design reviews, manufacturing support, and testing activities
• Document work clearly and maintain configuration control of designs and models
• Learn from senior engineers and steadily grow technical depth and autonomy

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in structural design and analysis
• Familiarity with composite and metallic materials, structural design principles, and manufacturing processes
• Hands‑on proficiency in CAD (e.g. NX, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Exposure to structural analysis methods (hand calculations, FEA tools such as Nastran, Abaqus, or Ansys)
• Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to take initiative
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environment
• Enthusiasm for mentoring junior engineers while continuing to grow your own knowledge base

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

EEO STATEMENT

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.