Mechanical Engineer

Motive Companies, LLC; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical healthcare

401(k) matching

Paid vacation and holidays

Dental care

Vision care

Job summary

Motive Companies, LLC in Santa Monica, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer to lead hands-on design, development, assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft structures. This direct, full-time role focuses on primary and secondary structures and requires experience with aerospace hardware.

You will produce CAD models and drawings, apply GD&T, oversee MGSE, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliant, high-quality hardware across the full project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years core aerospace mechanical engineering experience.
• Hands-on spaceflight hardware assembly and integration.
• Experience with spacecraft primary/secondary structures and CAD.
• Familiarity with NASA GEVS standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop spacecraft primary and secondary structures.
• Create CAD models and drawings; inspect parts.
• Assemble, integrate, and test spacecraft hardware.
• Develop assembly procedures and MGSE tooling.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate subsystems.
• Manage hardware through full lifecycle including packaging and shipping.
• Ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
• Document designs, tests, and performance.
• Provide guidance to engineers.

Skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

GD&T

Job description

Job Details

A&D/Semi

Mechanical Engineer Santa Monica,CA Posted:11/5/2026 Job Description Job ID#: 87061

Job Category: A&D/Semi

Position Type: Direct

Duration: Direct

Shift: 1

Motive Workforce is partnering with a Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company developing custom spacecraft and mission solutions for commercial and national security applications. We are seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer to join the spacecraft engineering team. This role is focused on the hands-on design, development, assembly, integration, and testing of structural assemblies and systems for spacecraft builds.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the mechanical design and development of primary and secondary spacecraft structures, including geometry and material selection.
• Design parts for manufacturing using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) practices.
• Develop CAD models and engineering drawings and inspect received parts for accuracy.
• Execute spacecraft mechanical assembly, integration, and testing, including MGSE design, torquing and staking bolts, interference and fit checks, and cleanroom organization.
• Develop mechanical assembly procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate structural subsystems with other spacecraft systems.
• Own hardware throughout the full project lifecycle, including part reception, inspection, integration, spacecraft bus packing, shipping, and testing.
• Maintain compliance with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Document design processes, test results, and system performance.
• Provide technical mechanical engineering guidance to fellow engineers.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field.
• 5+ years of core mechanical engineering experience in aerospace or a related field.
• Hands-on experience assembling and integrating spaceflight hardware.
• Experience designing spacecraft primary and secondary structural elements.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks.
• Proficiency generating engineering drawings and applying GD&T.
• Experience with structural design, harness routing, and systems-level mechanical engineering.
• Experience specifying and analyzing fastener torque values and material finishes such as anodizing.
• Experience with NASA GEVS standards.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional engineering environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft assembly, integration, and test in cleanroom environments, including ESD protocols.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis tools such as Simcenter, Abaqus, Altair/OptiStruct, or similar.
• Experience designing, specifying, and testing spacecraft deployable systems and mechanisms.
• Experience executing and leading spacecraft vibration test campaigns.

Compensation

$130,000 - $170,000 per year

Final compensation will be based on experience, education, and qualifications.

Benefits

Benefits include paid medical healthcare for employees, flexible vacation, sick days, 401(k) matching, pregnancy leave, family leave, holiday pay, military service leave, dental care, vision care, and other benefits.