Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real‑time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role

Northwood is seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic team, specializing in the design of structures, systems, tooling, and other products for our ground station antennas. This role will involve designing and developing hardware that will be deployed all over the world as well as fabrication and assembly tooling, test fixtures, and more. You will work closely with RF engineers, electrical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and software engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design multiple product lines, structures, mechanisms, environmental systems, and GSE for satellite ground stations ensuring performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Design manufacturable, intricate RF waveguide filtering and feed structures for high performance antennas.
• Design tooling for fabrication and assembly processes, including test fixtures and weldments.
• Collaborate with RF, electrical, and manufacturing to ensure reasonable system requirements and seamless integration of designs and hardware.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices in mechanical, thermal, and environmental design.
• Participate in design reviews and provide feedback to ensure design objectives are met.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing and building hardware.
• Experience with taking a product from concept to production.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and ability to design for manufacturability.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, including thermal management, materials selection, and structural analysis.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in Siemens NX for 3D modeling, assembly, and drafting.
• Understanding of environmental and reliability testing procedures for mechanical systems.
• Experience with weldments, tooling, GSE, and fixture design and assembly.
• Experience with mechanical/thermal simulation tools (e.g. ANSYS).
• Basic understanding of electrical systems and components to ensure a holistic approach to system design.
• Basic understanding of RF systems and devices.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, Northwood Space reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with optional needs.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• This role requires being on‑site 5 days per week.

Compensation

Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary depending on job‑related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. In addition to base rate, Northwood Space offers long‑term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses. Benefits include equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, 15 days of PTO per year, 10 or more paid holidays per year, 5 sick days per year, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Additional Information

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.