Lead Mechanical Engineer

EVONA; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer to take technical ownership of major spacecraft mechanical systems, including structures, mechanisms, and fluid hardware.

You will design, analyze, and guide engineering decisions, mentor teammates, and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, and test teams. This role demands hands-on problem solving and strong system-level thinking in a fast-paced space environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Significant experience developing complex aerospace or space hardware.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals across structures, materials, and manufacturing.
• Experience owning major hardware or subsystems from concept through qualification or flight.
• Ability to work from first principles and make sound engineering decisions with incomplete information.
• Experience leading technical reviews and influencing multidisciplinary engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of primary and secondary spacecraft structures.
• Own mechanical architecture and integration across major spacecraft subsystems.
• Design and integrate fluid and pressure systems, tubing, routing, packaging, and interfaces.
• Lead mechanical system trades and first-principles analysis to guide vehicle-level decisions.
• Develop and review CAD models, drawings, GD&T, interface definitions, and documentation.
• Perform and review structural and mechanical analysis using hand calculations, FEA, Python, MATLAB, and other tools.
• Drive hardware through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test.
• Define structural and mechanical test approaches and troubleshoot hardware during development.
• Lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to other engineers.

Skills

Mechanical design fundamentals

CAD & GD&T

First principles thinking

Technical leadership

Hands-on engineering

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD software

FEM/FEA

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Spacecraft Hardware

We’re working with an ambitious early-stage space company developing next-generation spacecraft, propulsion systems, and mission-critical hardware for operations beyond low Earth orbit.

Founded by engineers from some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry, the team is building highly capable spacecraft designed to expand access to high-energy and cislunar environments and support the next generation of commercial and government missions.

This is a small, highly technical team where senior engineers are expected to take significant ownership and directly influence vehicle architecture, hardware development, and engineering execution.

The Role

We’re looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to take technical ownership of major spacecraft mechanical systems across structures, mechanisms, fluid systems, and associated ground hardware.

This is still a highly hands-on engineering role. You’ll be expected to personally solve difficult technical problems, perform design and analysis, review hardware, support manufacturing, and lead testing - while also providing technical direction to other engineers.

The role is particularly suited to someone who has already owned major aerospace or vehicle hardware and wants substantially more influence over both the technical solution and how the mechanical engineering function develops.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Own mechanical architecture and integration across major spacecraft subsystems
• Design and integrate fluid and pressure systems, including tubing, routing, packaging, and interfaces
• Lead mechanical system trades and first-principles analysis to guide vehicle-level decisions
• Develop and review CAD models, drawings, GD&T, interface definitions, and engineering documentation
• Perform and review structural and mechanical analysis using hand calculations, FEA, Python, MATLAB, and other tools
• Drive hardware through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test
• Define structural and mechanical test approaches and troubleshoot hardware during development
• Lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to other engineers
• Work closely with propulsion, avionics, GNC, manufacturing, and test teams
• Help establish mechanical engineering standards, processes, and best practices as the company grows

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Significant experience developing complex aerospace, spacecraft, launch vehicle, automotive, robotics, or similarly demanding hardware
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals across structures, materials, mechanisms, manufacturing, and test
• Demonstrated ownership of major hardware or subsystems from concept through qualification or flight
• Strong understanding of structural design and analysis
• Experience with CAD, drawings, GD&T, material selection, DFM/DFA, and hardware integration
• Ability to work from first principles and make sound engineering decisions with incomplete information
• Experience leading technical reviews and influencing multidisciplinary engineering decisions
• Comfortable remaining deeply hands-on while mentoring and guiding other engineers

Ideal Background

Particularly relevant backgrounds could include:

• Spacecraft or launch vehicle structures
• Propulsion or pressurized-fluid hardware
• Robotics or mechatronic systems
• Other highly integrated hardware developed in fast-paced engineering environments