Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)

Starcloud; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 114,300 - 213,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Starcloud in Redmond, Washington is looking for a Mechanisms Engineer to design and develop spacecraft mechanisms for data centers. This role requires expertise in mechanical analysis, CAD modeling, and FEA analysis. Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and have at least 2 years of relevant experience. A competitive salary of $114,300 - $213,600 per year with additional benefits including stock options and health coverage is offered.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in an aerospace or automotive design/manufacturing environment.
• Experience with mechanisms driven by stepper or BLDC motors.
• Proficient in CAD models for production and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spacecraft mechanisms for efficiency and reliability.
• Develop test plans for validating designs.
• Collaborate with teams for seamless product integration.

Skills

Mechanical analysis

CAD software

FEA analysis

Project management

Materials selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Ansys

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools

Job description

Position Overview

As a Mechanisms Engineer at Starcloud, you will play a pivotal role in designing and developing spacecraft mechanisms for our space-based data centers, in particular the deployable solar panels and deployable radiators which make our mission possible. This hands‑on role demands a dynamic and innovative individual with extensive skills in mechanical analysis and design. You will be responsible for identifying requirements, conducting mechanical analysis, and building multiple design iterations to develop innovative, reliable, and cost‑effective solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and Development:
  • Identify and analyze requirements, conduct trade studies on mechanism design options, and apply First Principles Engineering Analysis to optimize mechanisms and systems for satellites.
  • Create and iterate detailed CAD models, including mechanism architecture, material/lubrication selections, assembly processes, and test methods.
  • Conduct classical and FEA analysis for all load conditions (static, dynamic, thermal, fatigue) to ensure adequate margins and reliability.
• Testing and Validation:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive test plans throughout development, incorporating variable isolation DOE and statistical analysis for long‑term reliability assessments.
  • Define qualification plans and identify acceptance testing methods for volume production.
  • Produce complete design packages, including detailed drawings, analysis reports, BOMs, and assembly documentation.
• Optimization and Cost Management:
  • Facilitate cost trades on multiple parallel configurations to balance cost, manufacturability, and design risk.
  • Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless integration.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in an aerospace, defense, or automotive design/manufacturing environment in a hands‑on engineering role.
• Experience designing and qualifying mechanisms driven by stepper or BLDC motors, springs, and HDRMs.
• Proficient in developing design models and drawings for production and analysis using CAD software.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools for configuration management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production.
• Project management experience for technical projects.
• Expertise in materials selection for space applications.
• Experience working with very large lightweight deployable structures.
• Proficiency using Solidworks and Ansys for CAD and analysis.

Compensation and Benefits

Starcloud offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Mechanisms Engineer/Level I: $114,300 - $150,000 per year
• Mechanisms Engineer/Level II: $150,000 - $213,600 per year
• Potential for stock options, discretionary bonuses, and other long‑term incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical project milestones.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for authorization under U.S. export regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Starcloud is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.