AP112 Mechanical Engineering Technician

Space and Earth Science Data Analysis; Greenbelt, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

ADNET Systems, Inc. at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD seeks a hands-on mechanical engineering student or recent graduate for six months on-site to design, fabricate, and assemble precision opto-mechanical components and tooling.

You will build lab machinery, test assemblies, automate motion control, and write data acquisition and analysis scripts in Python or MATLAB, while measuring mirror quality with metrology equipment and supporting X-ray testing at beamlines.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled undergraduate student (co-op or semester away) or recent graduate in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Hands-on experience building and integrating mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• Some programming experience in Python or MATLAB.
• Familiarity with CAD and reading engineering drawings.
• Available to work full time on-site in Greenbelt, MD for six months.
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (LPR) required, with US residency for the past 3 consecutive years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation through NASA.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and assemble precision opto-mechanical components, fixtures, and tooling from engineering drawings; utilize 3D printing and tolerance analysis.
• Build and test lab machinery; integrate motors, sensors, wiring, and controllers; troubleshoot and qualify assemblies.
• Contribute to automation and motion control for precise positioning of mirror segments and test equipment.
• Write data acquisition, analysis, and simulation scripts in Python or MATLAB; run iterative tests and evaluate results against requirements.
• Measure mirror quality with metrology equipment (ZYGO, 4D interferometers); support X-ray testing at Goddard beamlines.
• Maintain thorough records of procedures and data; follow NASA and Goddard safety rules.

Skills

Hands-on mechanical systems

Python or MATLAB

CAD (SolidWorks/AutoCAD)

Education

Mechanical engineering degree (undergrad/grad)

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

3D printing

Job description

Duration: Full-time, 6 months

About the Role

Future X-ray space telescopes will explore black holes, galaxy clusters, and the evolution of matter and energy. First, they need mirrors up to the challenge. NASA Goddard’s Next Generation X-ray Optics (NGXO) technology uses thousands of mirror segments, each less than 1 mm thick, assembled with sub-micron precision. We’re looking for a hands‑on engineering student or recent graduate to join our multidisciplinary R&D team for six months and help turn ideas into working hardware.

Job Description:

• Help design, fabricate, and assemble precision opto‑mechanical components, fixtures, and tooling, working from engineering drawings and using 3D printing and tolerance analysis.
• Build and test lab machinery: integrate motors, sensors, wiring, and controllers, then troubleshoot and qualify assemblies for smooth, aligned operation.
• Contribute to automation and motion control for precise positioning of mirror segments and test equipment.
• Write data acquisition, analysis, and simulation scripts in Python or MATLAB, run iterative tests, and evaluate results against tight requirements.
• Measure mirror quality with precision metrology equipment such as ZYGO and 4D interferometers, and support X‑ray testing at Goddard’s 100-meter and 600-meter beamlines.
• Keep careful records of procedures and data, and follow all NASA and Goddard safety and lab rules.

What We’re Looking For:

• Current undergraduate student (co‑op or semester away) or recent graduate in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience building and integrating mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• Some programming experience in Python or MATLAB.
• Familiarity with CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) and reading engineering drawings.
• Strong attention to detail, good documentation habits, and a research mindset.
• Available to work full time on‑site in Greenbelt, MD for six months.
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (LPR) required, with US residency for the past 3 consecutive years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation through NASA.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with control algorithms such as PID or state estimation.
• Experience with CNC machining or G-code.
• Experience with precision assemblies (bearings, shafts, motors) held to tight tolerances.
• A record of designing and running experiments, from data acquisition through evaluation.

Team ADNET brings over 30+ years of experience to information systems and professional services for the federal government. With a history of expertise in software development, computer network design, IT security, mission operations support, and educational outreach, Team ADNET is deeply embedded in the Space and Earth Science at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is working with Goddard Space Flight Center to fulfill NASA’s vision for space exploration, and working with the Science and Exploration Directorate to fulfill its many missions.

ADNET Systems, Inc. is an employee‑centric company, committed to providing premier benefits that support our employees and their families. With affordable medical and dental plans coupled with leading disability and life insurance options, ADNET offers our employees the benefits most sought after by today’s professional candidate. Furthermore, our benefits package features the extras that distinguish us from other small businesses, ensuring our high employee retention that our customers appreciate.

Some features of our compensation plans and environment perks include: