Mechanical Engineer – Microfluidics & Thermal Systems

Space Tango; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Tango is seeking an engineer to apply microfluidics expertise to spaceflight, designing, building, and testing hardware for microgravity research and manufacturing. You will design fluid-handling, thermal systems, model performance with CFD, and create parts and assemblies in SolidWorks while collaborating with science, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.

On-site in Lexington, KY. NASA or aerospace experience is not required, but curiosity and hands-on prototyping are highly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience designing and analyzing microfluidic, fluidic, or thermal systems.
• Experience with CFD, thermal modeling, fluid-system simulation, or related analytical tools.
• Experience with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Hands-on experience building, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting engineering hardware.
• Understanding of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mechanical design fundamentals.
• Strong communication and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design microfluidic, fluid-handling, and thermal systems for automated research payloads
• Model fluid flow, pressure drop, heat transfer, and system performance using CFD or related simulation tools
• Design tubing layouts, manifolds, reservoirs, pumps, valves, fittings, heat exchangers, and thermal interfaces
• Develop parts, assemblies, and drawings using SolidWorks or similar CAD software
• Translate analytical results into practical designs and testable hardware
• Build, assemble, integrate, and troubleshoot prototypes and flight systems
• Plan and support flow, pressure, leak, thermal, vibration, and environmental testing
• Select materials and components based on reliability, cleanliness, compatibility, and manufacturability
• Collaborate with science, electrical, software, manufacturing, and test teams
• Document designs, calculations, test results, and engineering decisions

Skills

Modeling microfluidic systems

Hands-on prototyping

Multidisciplinary teamwork

CFD/thermal modeling

Laboratory automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CFD software

Job description

Space Tango is seeking an engineer to apply microfluidics expertise to spaceflight, designing, building, and testing hardware for microgravity research and manufacturing. You will design fluid-handling, thermal systems, model performance with CFD, and create parts and assemblies in SolidWorks while collaborating with science, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.

On-site in Lexington, KY. NASA or aerospace experience is not required, but curiosity and hands-on prototyping are highly