Lead Propulsion Mechanical Engineer – Satellite Hardware

xona-space; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Engineer to join the propulsion team in Burlingame.

You will serve as the primary mechanical architect for advanced satellite propulsion hardware, driving design from concepts through prototype testing and transition to production. This high-ownership role involves CAD development, FEA, thermal-structural joint optimization, and rapid lab testing, collaborating with satellite bus, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deploy reliable hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Experience leading mechanical hardware design from concept to production.
• Strong DFM experience with machinists and vendors.
• Expert GD&T and tolerance analysis (ASME Y14.5).
• Deep materials knowledge for high-temperature and vacuum environments.
• Proficiency in CAD and FEA for structural and thermal analyses.

Responsibilities

• Lead propulsion system design and hardware integration.
• Drive DFM across high-precision components with vendors.
• Select materials for high-temp, high-vacuum environments.
• Perform structural and thermal analyses for margins.
• Prototype, test, and iterate hardware in lab and TVAC.
• Define procedures from prototype to production.

Skills

Mechanical design

DFM

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

SolidWorks

FEA/Thermal analysis

Materials knowledge

Prototyping

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS/FEA

Job description

Xona is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Engineer to join the propulsion team in Burlingame.

You will serve as the primary mechanical architect for advanced satellite propulsion hardware, driving design from concepts through prototype testing and transition to production. This high-ownership role involves CAD development, FEA, thermal-structural joint optimization, and rapid lab testing, collaborating with satellite bus, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deploy reliable hardware.