Lead Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer – Advanced Space Systems

InvestedintheMission; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Chantilly, VA, is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to own full-cycle spacecraft design, including 3D CAD, detailed analyses, and integration with system-level work. You will deploy deployment mechanisms, build MGSE, and lead a team through qualification campaigns in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires leading the mechanical design for spacecraft subsystems, mentoring engineers, and delivering high‑reliability hardware for space missions. U.S.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in hardware product development; 5+ years space flight hardware.
• Experience with 3‑D CAD and ground-up system design.
• Hands-on assembly, prototyping, testing of mechanisms designed for 0g but in a 1g environment.
• Experience designing and building very small mechanisms and systems.
• Familiarity with launch environments, testing for launch environments, range safety, and system integration.
• Understanding of NASA-GEVS (or equivalent) and spaceflight environmental testing.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with others.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Work with a cross-functional team to design market leading hardware products.
• Drive product maturity through rapid prototyping, design verification, and qualification activities.
• Apply modern space-flight hardware design standards to create high-reliability, highly manufacturable assemblies.
• Implement a variety of structural components and mechatronics with environmental testing.
• Use rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and hands‑on machining to iterate quickly.
• Conduct peer-level and cross-discipline design reviews and mentor your team.
• Root cause analysis in support of production operations.
• Work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple projects and customers.

Skills

Spaceflight hardware

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Prototype testing

Vibration testing

Thermal testing

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Tools

PCB Layout

Job description

Anduril Industries in Chantilly, VA, is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to own full-cycle spacecraft design, including 3D CAD, detailed analyses, and integration with system-level work. You will deploy deployment mechanisms, build MGSE, and lead a team through qualification campaigns in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires leading the mechanical design for spacecraft subsystems, mentoring engineers, and delivering high‑reliability hardware for space missions. U.S.