Mechanical Design Engineer - Spacecraft

Legion Technical Solutions LLC; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Legion Technical Solutions LLC is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer for spacecraft hardware. Lead development from concept to production, collaborating with Electrical, Systems, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.

This role emphasizes independent work, deep mechanical expertise, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, security-conscious environment. Six weeks fully remote, part-time contract with potential for full-time hybrid work in San Jose, CA.

Qualifications

• Detailed mechanical design experience with subcontractors and vendors.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of FEA and hand calculations.
• GD&T drafting standards and tolerances.
• Experience defining mechanical requirements.
• Familiarity with space environment effects on hardware.
• Knowledge of material selection for space.
• Understanding of spacecraft structural loads.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Own subsystem-level mechanical solutions that perform in demanding thermal and high-vibration environments.
• Represent the mechanical discipline in internal and external design reviews and customer engagements.
• Support hardware integration, verification, and production readiness within secure program environments.
• Collaborate with structural analysts to ensure spacecraft and component structural integrity throughout launch.
• Collaborate with thermal analysts to maintain components within acceptable temperature limits.
• Conduct mechanical testing of systems and components, including vibration, static load, and shock testing.
• Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing as needed.

Skills

Detailed mechanical design

SolidWorks

FEA & hand calculations

GD&T

Requirements definition

Space environment knowledge

Material selection

Independent working

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Mechanical Design Engineer - Spacecraft

Build hardware that performs from launch through on-orbit operations.

Legion Technical Solutions LLC connects experienced technical professionals with opportunities supporting complex engineering and mission-critical programs. We are recruiting a Mechanical Design Engineer for a client developing spacecraft hardware—a role offering substantial technical ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to guide mechanical solutions from concept through production.

Job Summary

Note: Six weeks of fully remote, parttime contract (10-20 hours/week). With client contract win, opportunity turns fulltime, hybrid (San Jose, CA).

As the Mechanical Design Engineer, you will serve as the mechanical technical authority for spacecraft hardware, leading development from early concept through production deployment. You will collaborate with Electrical, Systems, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver integrated hardware solutions.

The successful candidate will bring deep mechanical design expertise, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own subsystem-level mechanical solutions that perform in demanding thermal and high-vibration environments.
• Represent the mechanical discipline in internal and external design reviews and customer engagements.
• Support hardware integration, verification, and production readiness within secure program environments.
• Collaborate with structural analysts to ensure spacecraft and component structural integrity throughout launch.
• Collaborate with thermal analysts to maintain components within acceptable temperature limits.
• Conduct mechanical testing of systems and components, including vibration, static load, and shock testing.
• Support thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated detailed mechanical design experience, including technical collaboration with subcontractors and vendors.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of structural analysis techniques, including finite element analysis (FEA) and hand calculations.
• Strong understanding of drafting standards, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience defining mechanical system and component requirements.
• Familiarity with the space environment and its effects on mechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with material selection and coatings for space applications.
• General understanding of spacecraft structural loads, including quasi-static loads, random vibration, shock, and thermo-mechanical effects.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound technical judgment.
• Excellent technical, written, and verbal communication skills.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience designing, manufacturing, and testing space hardware with demonstrated on-orbit success.
• Experience running structural vibration tests.
• Experience running TVAC tests.
• Hands‑on structural and/or thermal analysis experience.
• Previous experience supporting Department of Defense or other U.S. Government development and deployment programs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 12-15+ years of relevant experience.

This is a remote position.