Mechanical Engineer II (spacecraft Mechanisms) Hardware

Front Door Defense; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health, dental, and vision plans

Educational reimbursement

Flexible PTO options

Job summary

Front Door Defense is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to lead the development of mechanical separation and interfacing systems for spacecraft from concept to production. This role involves comprehensive design and analysis, requiring strong collaboration skills and proficiency in CAD software.

The ideal candidate has a B.S. in aerospace or mechanical engineering, 3+ years of relevant experience, and is proficient in using FEA tools. Outstanding employee benefits are offered, ensuring a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering and 3+ years of professional experience.
• Strong skills in CAD design and integration.
• Experience analyzing composite and metallic structures.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical separation and interfacing systems for spacecraft.
• Formulate comprehensive design roadmaps for hardware.
• Perform structural testing and analysis for mechanical assemblies.

Skills

3-D CAD software proficiency (Siemens NX preferable)

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Team collaboration and communication

Experience with FEA/FEM tools

Independent learning drive

Education

B.S. degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

M.S. degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering (desired)

Tools

Nastran

ANSYS

FEMAP

Job description

Mechanical Engineer II (spacecraft Mechanisms)

Lead the development of mechanical separation and interfacing systems for spacecraft from concept to production.

Location: Cedar Park, Texas, United States

About The Role

Firefly Aerospace is looking for a mechanical engineer to develop state-of-the‑art mechanical separation and interfacing systems throughout the product life cycle. You will be part of a highly skilled, dynamic team that will involve you in all aspects of analysis, design, fabrication, and testing. Excellent collaboration and communication skills, along with a positive attitude are critical.

Responsibilities:

• Formulate the comprehensive cradle to grave road map for your hardware – owning conceptual design, structural layout, sizing analysis, hardware production, and structural testing for a variety of moving mechanical assemblies and structures.
• Develop and scrub requirements
• Support configuration development and trade studies.
• Conceptual design/analysis
• Perform first‑order strength and sizing calculations for your responsible mechanisms.
• Generate CAD, manufacturing drawings, specifications, and other documentation.
• Production implementation
• Hardware development and qualification test definition
• Demonstrate compliance with NASA, Space Force, or other relevant launch jurisdiction standards
• Collaborate with team to develop and improve processes related to above responsibilities.

Qualifications:

Required:

• B.S. degree in aerospace or mechanical and 3+ years’ demonstrated professional experience in aerospace or related mechanical engineering field
• Strong design and integration skills using 3‑D CAD software (Siemens NX preferable)
• Ability to effectively work in a multi‑discipline team and provide technical guidance and insight
• Experience with industry FEA/FEM tools like Nastran, ANSYS, FEMAP, etc.
• Experience designing and analyzing composite and metallic structure.
• Good understanding of first principles from variety of engineering disciplines (mechanical, structural dynamics, materials, fluids/thermodynamics, electrical)
• Drive for independent learning.

Desired:

• M.S. degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering and/or 3+ years of relevant experience
• Working knowledge of composite manufacturing methods, material selection, and testing.
• Experience developing physical tests to validate analysis and evaluate assumptions
• Familiarity with aerospace standard structural analysis methods (Bruhn, Niu, Roark, Shigley’s, etc)
• Previous experience in launch vehicle or spacecraft mechanisms.
• Working knowledge of at least one computer/scripting language at the professional or hobbyist level.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short‑term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status