Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical EngineerGITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building the next generation of hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions. At our core is the space robotics technology that has defined GITAI from the beginning. A small, highly capable engineering team applies that foundation across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware for applications such as Earth observation. Today, a major focus of our work is supporting U.S. national security missions, particularly through proliferated LEO satellite constellations and other next-generation space systems.We design, build, integrate, and test much of our hardware in-house. Electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams work closely together, allowing a small team to own complete systems rather than isolated components. This vertical integration helps us move quickly, learn directly from hardware, and shorten the path from architecture to a working system.We are still early. The systems, the company, and the market are all being built at the same time. Requirements change, technical problems are often ambiguous, and many answers do not yet exist. We are looking for exceptional engineers and operators who want broad ownership, can work across disciplines, and are willing to stay close to the hardware until the mission succeeds.The Mechanical Engineer owns mechanical hardware from concept through test. Space experience is not required, but real hardware experience is. At GITAI, this is not a narrow design role where work is handed off after CAD is complete. You will take ambiguous hardware needs and turn them into detailed, buildable mechanical designs, then stay responsible as those designs become real parts, prototypes, integrated systems, and tested hardware. This role spans GITAI's space vehicle and robotic hardware, including spacecraft structures, mechanisms, robotic arms, rovers, propulsion-related hardware, fixtures, test equipment, and ground support equipment. We welcome strong mechanical engineers from aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, industrial automation, precision manufacturing, test equipment, or other hardware-heavy industries.The work requires real mechanical design judgment, not just strong 3D CAD skills. You will perform practical design calculations, evaluate loads, stiffness, strength, tolerances, manufacturability, and assembly constraints, and turn those decisions into CAD models, drawings, prototypes, and hardware that can be built, tested, and improved. You will work close to the hardware. That means supporting fabrication, assembling prototypes on the shop floor, integrating systems, troubleshooting failures, and taking hardware to test sites, including desert and external test facilities when needed. The expectation is simple: you do not just design parts. You own whether they work.Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and mechanical design packages that are practical to fabricate, assemble, inspect, test, and maintain.Work closely with electrical, software, propulsion, robotics, and systems engineers to define requirements, interfaces, load paths, packaging, assembly sequences, and test configurations.Move quickly from ambiguous requirements to workable mechanical concepts, then refine them into detailed designs ready for prototype fabrication or flight-like builds.Support vendor and in-house fabrication by reviewing manufacturability, resolving build issues, updating drawings, and maintaining clean mechanical documentation.Assemble, integrate, inspect, and maintain prototypes and early builds, and feed lessons from the shop floor and test floor back into the design.Plan and execute mechanical and system-level testing, including operational verification, reliability testing, quality checks, and failure investigation, and use results to drive design improvements.Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.1+ years of relevant experience designing, analyzing, and supporting the manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems or mechanisms. Internship, research, and extracurricular project experience counts.Proficiency with mechanical CAD.Experience creating mechanical drawings and maintaining drawing packages.Hands-on ability with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing.Must be able to safely lift and move items up to 40 pounds (with or without reasonable accommodation), including during assembly and test activities.Flexibility to work weekends as needed based on build and test schedules.Willingness to spend up to 50% of work time outside of Torrance at test sites (including Mojave and the greater Los Angeles area). Travel may increase for short periods during critical integration and test campaigns.Must be a U.S. citizen, as this role may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance in the future.Location: Torrance, CA (onsite). Travel to test sites (including Mojave and the greater Los Angeles area) is expected based on program needs.Employment Type: Full-Time, ExemptCompensation ENG-1: $100,000 – $125,000 per year ENG-2: $125,000 – $155,000 per year Final level and compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, interview performance, and role fit. This position is also eligible for equity.Typical Work Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00am – 6:00pm (onsite). Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs.Health Insurance – Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees; 90% for dependents401(k) Plan – Company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth optionsEquity – Stock option eligibility depending on roleRelocation Support – Available for qualifying positionsTime Off – 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave (in accordance with applicable law)Office Perks – Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events