Field Mechanical Engineer — Spacecraft Hardware & Testing

GITAI Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

Equity

Relocation Support

Time Off

Office Perks

Job summary

GITAI Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to design, build, and test interceptor hardware for next-generation space systems.

You will own hardware from early layouts through detailed design, prototyping, assembly, field testing, failure investigation, and redesign. The role emphasizes manufacturability and reliability, with collaboration across propulsion, avionics, electrical, manufacturing, and test teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• At least one year of professional experience in rocketry, missiles, launch-vehicles, propulsion, or related aerospace company.
• Experience designing mechanical hardware that was manufactured, assembled, and tested.
• Strong 3D CAD and mechanical drawing skills, including GD&T, tolerances, materials, fastening methods, and design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Understanding of structural mechanics, load paths, vibration, and thermal effects; able to perform supporting calculations.
• Experience working with machinists, technicians, suppliers, or fabrication teams to resolve issues.
• Basic understanding of rocket propulsion systems and related constraints; able to learn quickly.
• Willingness to spend ~50% time at remote test sites under demanding field conditions.
• U.S. citizenship is required and eligibility for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and release mechanical hardware for interceptor vehicles, including primary and secondary structures, motor mounts and interfaces, avionics packaging, internal mechanisms, enclosures, test fixtures, and ground-support equipment.
• Translate system requirements, packaging constraints, expected loads, environmental conditions, and subsystem interfaces into manufacturable CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and assembly definitions.
• Own the prototype build cycle by working directly with machinists, technicians, suppliers, and other engineers through fabrication, inspection, assembly, integration, fit checks, and rework.
• Prepare for and execute structural, environmental, propulsion-related, and vehicle-level tests, including test hardware, setup, field operations, teardown, inspection, and rapid repair.
• Investigate manufacturing, assembly, and test failures, identify likely root causes, and close the loop through practical design changes and the next hardware build.
• Make clear tradeoffs among mass, strength, stiffness, manufacturability, cost, schedule, testability, and reliability while maintaining appropriate configuration and design documentation.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

Mechanical design

Collaboration with machinists

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

GITAI Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to design, build, and test interceptor hardware for next-generation space systems.

You will own hardware from early layouts through detailed design, prototyping, assembly, field testing, failure investigation, and redesign. The role emphasizes manufacturability and reliability, with collaboration across propulsion, avionics, electrical, manufacturing, and test teams.