Mechanical Engineer

Samara Aerospace; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Healthcare

401k matching

Unlimited PTO

Catered lunch

Education assistance

Relocation assistance

17 paid holidays

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Samara Aerospace is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, build, and test next‑generation spacecraft at our San Francisco HQ. You’ll work with mechanical and electrical engineers on spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and solar arrays in a fast-paced startup environment.

You will perform structural and thermal analyses, create manufacturing drawings with GD&T, and contribute to system integration. Strong problem solving and teamwork are essential for this multi-disciplinary role.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years of spacecraft mechanical design and integration experience.
• Proficiency in CAD NX.
• Experience with structural and thermal hand calculations and analysis (FEA experience preferred).
• Experience with design and fabrication of composite and/or metallic components.
• Ability to generate engineering drawings with sufficient GD&T to communicate design and manufacturing intent.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and schematics.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work in a dynamic startup environment.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, procure, assemble, and test satellite structures, mechanisms, and solar arrays.
• Identify loads, interfaces, and functional requirements at component and systems level.
• Select materials and mechanical components suitable for space environments.
• Incorporate design for manufacturing and assembly features.
• Contribute to high-level spacecraft architecture.
• Collaborate with electrical team to integrate avionics and wiring harnesses.
• Perform mechanical and/or thermal analysis of spacecraft systems.
• Generate manufacturing drawings, manage BOMs, and source components.
• Participate in hands-on prototyping and testing of spacecraft components.
• Assist in developing environmental test plans (launch vibration, thermal vacuum).
• Design ground support equipment including jigs, fixtures, and mass offload systems.
• Collaborate with other engineering teams for vehicle integration.
• Assist in expanding Samara manufacturing and facilities to improve efficiency.
• Identify ways to improve operational efficiency.

Skills

Spacecraft mechanical design

NX CAD

GD&T

Engineering drawings

Problem solving

Teamwork

Thermal analysis

Materials selection

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

Thermal Desktop

NX Nastran

Python

Job description

About Us

Samara Aerospace is revolutionizing satellite design by addressing the challenges of deploying and managing large satellite constellations. Our innovative Hummingbird spacecraft bus offers a modular and scalable platform that streamlines satellite production and deployment, significantly reducing launch costs. Hummingbird's compact architecture maximizes launch capacity, making it the most efficient and agile spacecraft in the industry. At the core of our technology is the patented Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control (MSAC) system. Unlike traditional wheel-based pointing control systems, MSAC utilizes actuators embedded in the hinges of deployable solar panels to provide 3-axis attitude control and active jitter cancellation. This design eliminates the need for spinning wheels, reducing mass and potential points of failure, while enhancing pointing precision.

About Us

Samara Aerospace is revolutionizing satellite design by addressing the challenges of deploying and managing large satellite constellations. Our innovative Hummingbird spacecraft bus offers a modular and scalable platform that streamlines satellite production and deployment, significantly reducing launch costs. Hummingbird's compact architecture maximizes launch capacity, making it the most efficient and agile spacecraft in the industry. At the core of our technology is the patented Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control (MSAC) system. Unlike traditional wheel-based pointing control systems, MSAC utilizes actuators embedded in the hinges of deployable solar panels to provide 3-axis attitude control and active jitter cancellation. This design eliminates the need for spinning wheels, reducing mass and potential points of failure, while enhancing pointing precision.

Role

The Mechanical team at Samara is seeking a mechanical engineer to support the design, analysis, build, and testing of next‑generation spacecraft at our headquarters in San Francisco. You’ll work closely with experienced mechanical and electrical engineers, gaining exposure to spacecraft structures, mechanisms, solar arrays, ground support equipment, and environmental testing in a fast‑paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, procure, assemble, and test satellite structures, mechanisms, and solar arrays.
• Identify loads, interface, and functional requirements at the component‑and‑systems‑level.
• Select materials and mechanical components suitable for space environments.
• Incorporate design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) features.
• Contribute to and help define high‑level spacecraft architecture.
• Collaborate with the electrical engineering team to successfully integrate avionics and wiring harnesses.
• Perform mechanical and/or thermal analysis of spacecraft systems.
• Generate manufacturing drawings, manage BOMs, and source components.
• Participate in hands‑on prototyping, building and testing of spacecraft components.
• Assist in the development sub‑assembly and vehicle level environmental test plans (launch vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.).
• Design ground support equipment including assembly jigs, test fixtures, and mass offload systems.
• Collaborate with other engineering teams for successful vehicle integration.
• Assist in the expansion and improvement of Samara manufacturing, environmental test, and vehicle integration facilities.
• Identify ways to improve operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years of spacecraft mechanical design and integration (or equivalent) experience.
• Proficiency in computer aided design (CAD) software of choice, NX preferred.
• Experience with structural and thermal hand calculations and analysis (FEA experience preferred but not required).
• Experience with design and fabrication of composite and/or metallic components.
• Ability to generate engineering drawings with sufficient GD&T to effectively communicate design and manufacturing intent.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and schematics.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and be self‑motivated while working in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience with spacecraft environmental testing (launch vibration, thermal vacuum, etc.).
• A passion for hands‑on hardware development in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with composite structures.
• Proficiency in NX.
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and/or NX Nastran.
• Machine shop prototyping and fabrication experience (CNC mill/router, mill, lathe, laser cutter, 3D printer, hand tools).
• Experience in Python or other programming languages.

Salary And Benefits

• Pay range: $130,000-160,000 annually to start
• Early and competitive equity in a rapidly growing startup
• Platinum‑level healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance covered 100% for you
• Partial dependent coverage available
• 401k matching at 4% (no vesting)
• Unlimited PTO and sick time
• Catered lunch 3x per week
• Education assistance up to $5,250 per year
• Relocation assistance is available
• 17 paid holidays (including a “winter break” Dec. 24-Jan. 1)

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Samara Aerospace does not currently sponsor employment visas for this position.

Employment eligibility will be verified upon hire in accordance with federal law.