Staff Mechanical Engineer

Job details

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • Job type: Permanent
  • Job sector: Engineering
  • Salary: Up to US$180000.00 per annum
  • Published: 22 September 2025

Staff Mechanical Engineer (NewSpace)
Location: Hawthorne, California, United States
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Package: $160K – $180K Base + Equity + Benefits + Flexible PTO

Are you a seasoned mechanical engineer with a passion for space manufacturing and hands-on engineering? Do you want to design systems destined for the Moon?

On offer is a rare opportunity to join a fast-moving space startup building a full-stack solution for in-situ resource utilization. You’ll play a key role in the design and development of mechanical systems that convert lunar materials into propellant, supporting a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

Join a multidisciplinary team focused on prototyping and deploying complex hardware for off-world use. This role offers the chance to lead mission-critical development from design and testing through to lunar deployment.

This position would suit a mechanically minded engineer who thrives in first-principles design, rapid iteration, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Key Responsibilities
* Design, fabricate, and test mechanical subsystems for a lunar-based propellant production plant.
* Drive engineering efforts from prototyping through to mission-ready deployment.
* Develop system requirements, perform trade studies, and document decision-making processes.
* Collaborate closely with adjacent teams to ensure seamless subsystem integration.
* Author operational procedures for ground and lunar environments.
* Provide mentorship to junior engineers and identify opportunities to optimize team execution.
* Anticipate program-level technical risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.

Essential Skills and Experience
* Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
* 10+ years of engineering experience, or 6+ years with proven leadership responsibilities.
* Proficient in CAD and mechanical analysis with strong engineering fundamentals.
* Track record of taking hardware from concept through to test and integration.
* High personal drive and ability to operate independently within a fast-paced environment.
* Must meet ITAR/EAR requirements (U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee).

Application Instructions
If you’re excited to design space infrastructure that could operate on the Moon, please apply now or send your resume to jake.payne@newspacetechnical.com

Apply now

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