Junior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer - Hands-on hardware

Nova Solvers; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-Based Incentive

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Company-sponsored 401(k)

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid company holidays

Job summary

Nova Solvers is an advanced engineering company seeking an entry-to-junior level Mechanical Engineer to support the design and development of spacecraft, payloads, avionics hardware, and ruggedized electronics systems.

This hands-on role spans spacecraft mechanical design, structures, electronics packaging, VPX chassis, heat frames, thermal management, manufacturing, integration, and environmental qualification.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 0–3 years of professional engineering experience.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics of materials, statics, dynamics, heat transfer, and material properties.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar.
• Ability to create and interpret mechanical drawings.
• Understanding of mechanical and thermal design fundamentals including load paths, conduction, convection, and radiation.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on assembly and integration of spacecraft, payload, and avionics hardware.
• Support mechanical design and configuration of spacecraft, payloads, structures, avionics, and mission hardware.
• Develop spacecraft structural components, panels, brackets, and mounts.
• Design VPX/OpenVPX chassis, heat frames, card cages, and rugged enclosures.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, BOMs, and documentation.
• Support vibration, TVAC, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification testing.

Skills

3D CAD (SolidWorks/Creo/NX)

GD&T

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

NX

ANSYS

Job description

Nova Solvers is an advanced engineering company seeking an entry-to-junior level Mechanical Engineer to support the design and development of spacecraft, payloads, avionics hardware, and ruggedized electronics systems.

This hands-on role spans spacecraft mechanical design, structures, electronics packaging, VPX chassis, heat frames, thermal management, manufacturing, integration, and environmental qualification.