Mechanical Engineer II, Spacecraft Structures & Missions Hardware

Front Door Defense; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Muon Space in San Jose, CA, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to own the end-to-end mechanical execution of a space mission, from platform components to payload accommodations and environmental test. You will work with senior engineers and structural/thermal analysis teams to deliver flight-ready hardware.

You’ll design in SolidWorks, create assemblies and documentation, perform basic sizing, and support integration and test campaigns.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing, building, and testing mechanical hardware for complex systems.
• Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test.
• Structural analysis fundamentals: hand calculations, margin assessment, and familiarity with FEA.
• Proficiency in CAD for medium-to-large assembly design and management (SolidWorks preferred).
• Solid command of drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• A strong desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical execution of an assigned mission end-to-end - from requirements through design, build, integration, and environmental test - with support from senior engineers
• Tailor Muon's platform components to mission needs and design new mission-specific components and payload accommodations
• Create and manage spacecraft-level mechanical assemblies in SolidWorks, including envelopes, interfaces, and configuration control
• Perform first-order structural and thermal sizing to guide your designs, partnering with Muon's dedicated structural and thermal analysis groups for detailed analysis
• Produce and release engineering documentation: drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets through ECO/DCO processes
• Support environmental test campaigns (vibration, TVAC) and spacecraft integration alongside production and test teams
• Write build procedures and support hardware assembly and integration on the floor
• Present your work in design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR) and coordinate across systems, thermal, avionics, and payload teams

Skills

Mechanical hardware design

End-to-end development

SolidWorks CAD

GD&T and BOMs

Cross-functional communication

Spacecraft experience

FEA familiarity

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEMAP/NASTRAN/ANSYS

Python

MATLAB

PLM systems

Job description

Mechanical Engineer II, Spacecraft Structures & Missions

Own end-to-end mechanical execution of a space mission from concept to delivery

Location: San Jose, California

Compensation: $144,000 - 177,000 USD / year

About The Role

Mechanical Engineer II, Spacecraft Structures & Missions

San Jose, CA

About the Role

Muon seeks a Mechanical Engineer to join our Spacecraft Structures & Missions team - the group that tailors Muon's spacecraft platforms to specific customer missions. In this role you'll own the mechanical execution of a mission end-to-end: starting from our platform building blocks, designing payload accommodations and mission-specific components, and carrying the spacecraft through integration, environmental test, and delivery to the launch vehicle.

You'll work alongside the team's senior and staff engineers and partner closely with Muon's dedicated structural and thermal analysis groups, with plenty of room to grow your ownership over time.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical execution of an assigned mission end-to-end - from requirements through design, build, integration, and environmental test - with support from senior engineers
• Tailor Muon's platform components to mission needs and design new mission-specific components and payload accommodations
• Create and manage spacecraft-level mechanical assemblies in SolidWorks, including envelopes, interfaces, and configuration control
• Perform first-order structural and thermal sizing to guide your designs, partnering with Muon's dedicated structural and thermal analysis groups for detailed analysis
• Produce and release engineering documentation: drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets through ECO/DCO processes
• Support environmental test campaigns (vibration, TVAC) and spacecraft integration alongside production and test teams
• Write build procedures and support hardware assembly and integration on the floor
• Present your work in design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR) and coordinate across systems, thermal, avionics, and payload teams

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing, building, and testing mechanical hardware for complex systems
• Experience taking hardware from concept through build and test
• Structural analysis fundamentals: hand calculations, margin assessment, and familiarity with FEA
• Proficiency in CAD for medium-to-large assembly design and management (SolidWorks preferred)
• Solid command of drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and tolerance/mass budgets
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills
• A strong desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Space industry experience - spacecraft, launch vehicles, or flight hardware
• Experience running or supporting environmental test campaigns (vibration, TVAC)
• Hands-on FEA experience (FEMAP/NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar)
• Experience with PLM systems and formal change control
• Experience with deployable hardware or precision mechanisms
• Software skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar

Salary

The salary range for this role is $144,000 - $177,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full-time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.

We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.