Mechanical Engineer

Astrion; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for NASA Ames in Mountain View, CA, to design and test mechanical systems for spacecraft, payloads, and ground support equipment. You will perform structural analysis, develop subassemblies, and collaborate across engineering teams to ensure performance in launch and space environments.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical design, extensive experience with CAD/CAE tools, and the ability to manage complex tasks under deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in mechanical, mechatronic, or similar engineering with emphasis on mechanical design and analysis.
• 5–10 years of related experience in mechanical/structural/aerospace engineering for spaceflight systems.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and analysis software (Creo, Windchill, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Nastran/Patran or similar).
• Experience with configuration management of mechanical designs and GSE.
• Knowledge of launch and space environments.
• Strong time management, detail oriented and able to prioritize tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present to diverse audiences.
• Self-motivated and independent thinker.

Responsibilities

• Design, modeling, and analyses of mechanical parts and subassemblies.
• Develop mechanical subsystems including structure, panels, mechanisms, fasteners, and mounts.
• Define work products and architecture to align with requirements and concepts.
• Perform structural/dynamic analyses (FEA) to ensure survival in space environments.
• Iterate for materials, loads, manufacturability, and assembly including thermal management and cable routing.
• Select and analyze mechanical GSE including mounts, tooling, and transport cases.
• Create and manage mechanical interfaces for components and subsystems.
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal, C&DH, ADCS/GNC, and other teams to optimize design.
• Work with machinists to produce models and drawings for manufacturing.
• Generate assembly, integration, and test procedures for components and subsystems.
• Evaluate environmental test data to validate designs.
• Forecast, track performance, and provide insights with project managers and staff.
• Identify tasks and schedule impacts; communicate deconflicted plans.
• Prepare monthly and milestone reports; interface with partners.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Configuration management

Spaceflight environments

Data presentation

Time management

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/mechatronic engineering or equivalent

Tools

Creo

Windchill

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Nastran/Patran

Job description

Overview

Mechanical Engineer

LOCATION: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: Ability to pass a Federal Background Check

TRAVEL: As Needed

SALARY: 150,000 - 180,000

Astrion has an exciting opportunity for a Mechanical Engineer located at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. The Mechanical Engineer will support missions, projects, payload development, and technology demonstrations. The Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test of the mechanical aspect of spacecraft, payloads, technology demonstrators, and associated ground support equipment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• A Bachelor's degree in mechanical, mechatronic, or similar engineering technical area with an emphasis on mechanical design and analysis
• At least 5-10 years of related experience in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or relevant technical field for mechanical spaceflight systems
• Proficiency in 3D solid modeling and analysis software (Creo, Windchill, Solidworks, AutoCAD, Nastran/Patran, or similar with the ability to learn new toolsets)
• Experience with configuration management of mechanical designs, component, subassemblies, systems, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
• Detailed knowledge and experience with launch and space environments
• Must be flexible in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events
• Thorough, detail oriented, and organized, with excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks
• Familiar with and able to present data and recommendations to a diverse audience of project managers, scientists, engineers, and technical staff
• Superb verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and independent thinker

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Knowledge and experience with NASA standards and best practices as they relate to mechanical design and analyses highly desired
• Experience with Radio Frequency (RF), Optical payloads or microfluidic systems a benefit
• Working knowledge of Atlassian tools Confluence and Jira beneficial
• Exceptional customer relationship management highly desirable
• Ideal candidate has demonstrated ability to assign work and manage personnel and tasks
• You may not check every box or your experience may look a little different from what is outlined, but if you think you can bring value to our team we encourage you to apply

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the design, modeling, and analyses of mechanical parts, components, and subassemblies
• Design the mechanical subsystem including primary and secondary structure, access panels, mechanical inhibits, mechanisms, hold downs, fasteners, lift points, and fixtures
• Define the work products, tasks, parts, components, and mechanical subsystem architecture in support of the project concept of operations and requirements
• Perform structural and dynamic analyses using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to ensure components survive quasi-static, vibration, sine, shock, and thermal environments
• Iterate and optimize designs for materials, structural loads, manufacturability, and assembly including design features for thermal management, access, mounts, mechanisms, deployables, cable routing, mechanical lock outs, and GSE
• Responsible for the selection, design, modeling and analyses of mechanical ground support equipment (GSE) including mounts, fixtures, specialized tooling, lifting equipment, and transportation cases
• Create, define, document, control, and verify mechanical interfaces for components, subsystems, payloads, and technologies
• Working with other subsystem engineers (electrical, thermal, C&DH, ADCS/GNC, communications, propulsion, software) to optimize design form, fit, function, and performance
• Working with machinist and fabricators create models and drawing packages for manufacturing, assembly and integration
• Create, evaluate, update, peer review, and design check for mechanical models, analyses, and drawing packages
• Generate and implement assembly, build, integration and test procedures for components, subassemblies, payloads, and spacecraft
• Analyses and evaluate environmental test data to verify and validate the structure and mechanical designs
• Working with the project managers, systems engineers, and technical staff to forecast, track performance, and provide insights
• Identify, communicate, and deconflict tasks, deliverables and schedule impacts
• Responsible for monthly, periodic, and milestone review products and reports
• Interface with Government, contractors and mission partner staff
• Some travel may be required to support mission and project partners