Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: California (Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $140,000 – $200,000
About the Opportunity
NewSpace Technical is partnering with an innovative space technology company developing next-generation hardware for future lunar exploration and in-space resource utilisation.
Our client is building advanced robotic systems designed to operate in some of the most challenging environments beyond Earth. As they continue to grow, they are seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Mechanical Engineer to take ownership of critical mechanical subsystems that will support future space missions.
This is an opportunity to work on real flight hardware in a highly collaborative, fast-moving engineering environment where you’ll have significant technical ownership from concept through qualification.
The Role
You’ll lead the design and development of complex mechanical systems for advanced robotic space platforms. Depending on your expertise, your work may focus on areas including:
- Precision electromechanical actuation systems
- Structural assemblies and deployment mechanisms
- Thermal control hardware
- Mechanical integration of autonomous systems
From initial concept and requirements definition through testing, qualification and flight readiness, you’ll play a key role in delivering hardware capable of operating in extreme environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Own mechanical systems throughout the full engineering lifecycle
- Develop system architectures, requirements and design solutions
- Perform engineering calculations, trade studies and design analysis
- Produce detailed CAD models and engineering documentation
- Define and support environmental qualification testing
- Validate hardware through vibration, thermal, shock and functional testing
- Work closely with electrical, software, thermal and systems engineering teams
- Support manufacturing, integration and continuous product improvement
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline
- Senior Engineer: 5+ years’ experience developing hardware for space or other highly regulated engineering industries
- Principal Engineer: 10+ years’ experience developing complex hardware systems for space applications
- Strong CAD experience (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA or similar)
- Experience using engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN or equivalent
- Solid understanding of structural analysis, engineering materials and manufacturing methods
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced engineering environment
Key Technical Expertise
Candidates should have 5+ years’ experience (Senior level) or 10+ years’ experience (Principal level) in at least one of the following specialist areas:
- Space-grade electromechanical rotary actuators and drive systems
- Space mechanisms, including passive mechanisms, deployable systems, flexures, latches or similar spacecraft hardware
- Advanced structural and mechanical analysis, using tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus or NASTRAN, with expertise in:
- Vibration analysis
- Rigid body dynamics
- Structural simulation and mechanical performance assessment
Desirable Experience
- Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline
- End-to-end ownership of flight hardware through design, manufacture, qualification and flight
- Experience planning and executing environmental qualification campaigns, including shock, vibration and thermal testing
- Experience working on spacecraft, robotic systems or other complex aerospace hardware
What’s on Offer
- Competitive base salary depending on experience
- Senior Mechanical Engineer: $140,000-$180,000
- Principal Mechanical Engineer: $160,000-$200,000
- Equity opportunity
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits
- Paid time off
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space technology with genuine mission impact
Eligibility
Due to U.S. export control regulations, applicants must be authorised to work on export-controlled projects. This typically requires U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Residency (Green Card), or another qualifying work authorisation under applicable U.S. regulations.
Interested?
If you’re looking to contribute to pioneering space hardware and want to be part of an ambitious engineering team developing technology for future off-world missions, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact angela.olmo@newspacetechnical.com for a confidential discussion.
