Mechanical Engineer

EVONA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, build, and test critical spacecraft and propulsion hardware in Los Angeles. This hands-on role involves moving between first-principles analysis and detailed mechanical design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and post-test evaluation.

You will own major spacecraft hardware and collaborate with propulsion, avionics, controls, and vehicle systems engineers in a small, ownership-driven team.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 2+ years designing, analyzing, building, or testing aerospace hardware or similar complex systems.
• Strong CAD fundamentals with drawings, tolerancing (GD&T) and manufacturing considerations.
• Hands-on experience with flight hardware, prototype hardware, or complex test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design, component selection, and integration for spacecraft, propulsion systems, mechanisms, robotics, and ground-test equipment.
• Design and integrate mechatronic systems supporting key vehicle functions.
• Develop calculations, simulations, and engineering models to drive design decisions.
• Produce CAD models, engineering drawings, interface definitions, assembly procedures, and test documentation.
• Perform mechanical and structural analysis using hand calculations, FEA, Python, MATLAB, and other engineering tools.
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to take designs from concept into physical hardware.
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot structural and mechanical testing.
• Review test data and use results to rapidly iterate hardware designs.
• Take ownership of hardware throughout the full development lifecycle.

Skills

CAD

GD&T

FEA

Python

MATLAB

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

Python

MATLAB

FEA

Job description

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 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 challenging orbital environments and support the next generation of commercial and government missions.

This is a small, highly technical team where engineers are given significant ownership and the opportunity to take hardware from initial concept through design, build, integration, and test.

The Role

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, build, and test critical spacecraft and propulsion hardware.

This is a highly hands-on position suited to an engineer who enjoys moving between first-principles analysis, detailed mechanical design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and post-test evaluation.

You'll have the opportunity to own major spacecraft and ground-system hardware while working closely with engineers across propulsion, avionics, controls, and vehicle systems.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design, component selection, and integration for spacecraft, propulsion systems, mechanisms, robotics, and ground-test equipment
• Design and integrate mechatronic systems supporting key vehicle functions
• Develop calculations, simulations, and engineering models to drive design decisions
• Produce CAD models, engineering drawings, interface definitions, assembly procedures, and test documentation
• Perform mechanical and structural analysis using hand calculations, FEA, Python, MATLAB, and other engineering tools
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to take designs from concept into physical hardware
• Plan, execute, and troubleshoot structural and mechanical testing
• Review test data and use results to rapidly iterate hardware designs
• Take ownership of hardware throughout the full development lifecycle

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 2+ years of experience designing, analyzing, building, or testing aerospace hardware, mechanisms, robotics, or similar complex systems
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals including CAD, drawings, GD&T/tolerancing, material selection, and design for manufacturing
• Hands-on experience developing flight hardware, prototype hardware, or complex test equipment
• Strong understanding of dynamics, materials, mechanical systems, and/or robotics
• Ability to perform practical engineering analysis using a combination of hand calculations, spreadsheets, Python/MATLAB, CAD, and FEA
• Comfortable solving ambiguous technical problems from first principles
• Experience taking hardware through build, integration, and test
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving engineering environment with significant autonomy and ownership

Ideal Background

Experience within spacecraft, launch vehicles, propulsion, robotics, autonomous systems, advanced aerospace, or other high-performance hardware environments would be particularly relevant.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who wants considerably more ownership than they might receive within a traditional aerospace organization and wants to directly influence the design of next-generation spacecraft hardware.