Founding Mechanical Engineer (Robotic Systems)

General Astronautics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering robotics company is seeking a Founding Mechanical Engineer in San Francisco, CA. You will design and develop robotic arms for microgravity environments, leading all aspects from concept to flight-ready hardware. Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, paired with hands-on experience and proficiency in CAD software like NX or SolidWorks. This is a high-ownership role where your innovations will be crucial for orbital science applications.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience designing and testing complex hardware.
• Experience with hand calculations and tolerance analysis.
• Strong background in mechanism design and electromechanical integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and testing of robotic arm for microgravity.
• Own hardware from concept through to deployment.
• Work cross-functionally with multiple engineering teams.

Skills

Designing complex mechanical hardware

CAD software proficiency

Machine design fundamentals

Hands-on hardware experience

FEA and tolerance analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

General Astronautics is building autonomous dexterous robotic arms for microgravity environments. Our systems enable orbital science and manufacturing that isn't possible on Earth, and we're doing it without humans in the loop. We're looking for a Founding Mechanical Engineer to own the design and development of our robotic arm from concept through flight-ready hardware. This is a high-ownership, high-accountability role. You will be one of the first engineers at the company, and the hardware you build will fly.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, development, and test of a robotic arm for autonomous microgravity operations
• Own hardware from concept through detailed design, prototyping, qualification, integration, and deployment
• Design precision mechanisms, joints, end effectors, actuator interfaces, and electromechanical assemblies optimized for vacuum, vibration, thermal cycling, and microgravity
• Perform trade studies across mass, stiffness, reach, payload, repeatability, thermal performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost
• Generate 3D CAD, 2D drawings, release packages, interface definitions, and technical documentation
• Perform hand calculations, tolerance analyses, and FEA to validate component and subsystem designs
• Define requirements, loads, interfaces, error budgets, and verification plans at component, subsystem, and system levels
• Build and test prototypes, analyze failures, and drive root-cause resolution and design iteration
• Work cross-functionally with controls, autonomy, software, avionics, and manufacturing to deliver an integrated flight system

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• 2+ years of experience designing, building, analyzing, and testing complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware
• Proficiency in professional CAD software (NX, CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent)
• Strong fundamentals in machine design, structural sizing, mechanism design, and electromechanical integration
• Experience with hand calculations, tolerance analysis, and FEA
• Proficiency with GD&T and engineering drawing standards (ASME Y14.5)
• Hands-on experience building, debugging, and testing hardware

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with robotic arms, manipulators, precision mechanisms, deployables, or other articulated hardware
• Experience designing mechanisms for space, vacuum, or other harsh environments, thermal qualification, vibration, contamination control
• Experience integrating motors, encoders, controllers, PCBAs, and harnessing into mechanical assemblies
• Background in aerospace, defense, semiconductor equipment, or medical devices
• Experience with requirements verification, formal hardware qualification, and V&V processes
• Familiarity with PLM tools and configuration-managed hardware development
• Experience transitioning hardware from prototype to flight production

ITAR / Citizenship Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.