Mechanical Design Engineer

Instant Teams; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Citra is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to own rugged, deployable mechanical systems for space domain awareness sensors. Lead concept to deployment, including thermal management, precision mounts, and rugged enclosures, in a hybrid Colorado Springs setting.

You will collaborate with electrical, RF, optical, software, and systems teams, perform testing, and work with vendors to move designs into hardware for harsh environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of professional mechanical design experience.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD and engineering drawings.
• Experience designing for harsh outdoor or field environments.
• Experience with precision pointing systems, antenna/telescope mounts, gimbals.
• Familiar with CAM, CNC machining and additive manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical designs from concept through deployment.
• Design rugged enclosures and structures for RF/optical systems.
• Develop precision mounting systems balancing stiffness and weight.
• Create thermal-management solutions for environmental ranges.
• Plan environmental testing and support field deployment.
• Collaborate with vendors to source components and resolve issues.
• Produce CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and test docs.

Skills

3+ years experience

3D CAD

Engineering drawings

Harsh environments

Precision mounts & gimbals

Education

Bachelors/Masters in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

CAM

CNC machining

Additive manufacturing

Job description

Citra is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to own the development of ruggedized, deployable mechanical systems for our space domain awareness sensors.

You will take mechanical designs from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, environmental testing, and field deployment. Your work will include ruggedized enclosures, motorized antenna and telescope mounts, thermal management, and other mechanical systems that must operate reliably in demanding environments.

This role is well suited for an engineer who enjoys hands-on hardware development, solving multidisciplinary problems, and taking meaningful ownership of systems from prototype through deployment.

Compensation Range: $125,000 - $155,000 base salary, plus equity. Total compensation will depend on experience and qualifications.

Location: Colorado Springs, CO. Hybrid work schedules are available but must reside in the local area or be willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical designs from concept through deployment, including requirements development, CAD, drawings, fabrication, assembly, testing, and design iteration
• Design ruggedized enclosures and structures that protect sensitive RF, optical, computing, and electronic systems in harsh operating environments
• Develop precision antenna and telescope mounting systems, balancing structural stiffness, pointing stability, weight, transportability, and ease of deployment
• Develop thermal-management solutions that maintain system performance across a wide range of environmental conditions
• Engineer for rapid deployment, including transportability, quick setup and teardown, field serviceability, and reliable operation outside of controlled environments
• Perform material and component selection based on strength, stiffness, weight, environmental performance, manufacturability, cost, and availability
• Plan and support environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, transportation loads, and other relevant environmental conditions
• Work directly with vendors and fabricators to source components, resolve manufacturing issues, and move designs quickly from CAD into hardware
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of materials, assembly instructions, test plans, and test reports
• Collaborate closely with electrical, RF, optical, software, and systems engineers to develop fully integrated sensor systems
• Support prototype builds, system integration, field testing, and deployment as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• 3+ years of professional mechanical design experience developing physical hardware
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD and engineering drawings
• Experience designing components and assemblies for machining, sheet-metal fabrication, and/or other production processes
• Experience taking designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, and testing
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where engineers are expected to take ownership and remain hands-on throughout the product-development process
• Experience designing systems for harsh outdoor or field environments
• Experience with precision pointing systems, antenna mounts, telescope mounts, gimbals, or other electromechanical positioning systems
• Familiarity with CAM, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and prototype fabrication

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge mechanical designs that support space domain awareness technologies while addressing the challenges of ruggedization, transportability, and environmental resilience.