Mechanical Engineer (Prism)

Speedrun Talent Network; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space in Torrance, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical designs of ground segment hardware deployed worldwide, including RF feed structures and electronics packaging. You will collaborate with RF, electrical, manufacturing, software engineers and site operators to improve reliability and field performance.

You will drive investigations, prototype testing, and design updates from concept to production, supporting new products and upgrades.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience investigating hardware failures and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical systems deployed in Prism systems, incl. PCBA packaging, feed structures, actuators, and support structures.
• Observe performance and degradation of mechanical systems deployed on Prism systems.
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions on in-factory testing and deployed ground stations.
• Provide design and analysis inputs to drive reliable design, test, and qualification campaigns.
• Drive design improvements from requirements definition to prototype, manufacturing, and deployment.
• Test prototypes and assess performance in lab and field.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure testability and manufacturability.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Mechanical design

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Siemens NX

ANSYS

Job description

About Northwood:

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array and parabolic ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role:

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for operating and improving the world's most capable ground segment network. You will own the mechanical designs of hardware deployed all over the world, including RF feed structures, electronics packaging, actuators, and support structures. You will drive investigations into fielded systems and develop component and subsystem updates to fielded designs, working closely with RF engineers, electrical engineers, manufacturing engineers, software engineers, and site operators.

Responsibilities:

• Own mechanical systems deployed in Prism systems, spanning PCBA packaging, feed structures, actuators, and support structures


• Observe performance and degradation of mechanical systems deployed on Prism systems


• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions on in-factory testing and deployed ground stations


• Provide design and analysis inputs to drive reliable design, test, and qualification campaigns for upgraded systems and new products


• Drive design improvements to products, from requirements definition to prototype, manufacturing, and deployment


• Test prototypes and assess performance in the lab and in the field


• Work closely with production teams to make testable and manufacturable products developed in-house

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field


• 2-4+ years of professional experience in mechanical design


• Experience taking mechanical hardware through the full product cycle, from requirements and design through prototype, test, production, and fielded support


• Hands-on experience investigating hardware failures and driving root cause analysis at the component and system levels


• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, sheet metal, welding, fastening, adhesives) and the ability to design for manufacturability

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience driving root cause and corrective action campaigns with thorough and systemic processes: fishbone, 5 Whys, 8D, FMEA, etc.


• Hands-on project team experience (Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, etc.)


• Proficiency in Siemens NX for 3D modeling, assembly, and drafting


• Experience with structural and thermal analysis, including hand calculations and simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS)


• Electronics packaging experience: enclosures, PCBA mounting, thermal management, sealing and ingress protection, connectors, and cable routing


• Experience designing hardware for long-term outdoor deployment: corrosion, UV exposure, wind and ice loading, water ingress, and fatigue


• Understanding of environmental and reliability testing (vibration, thermal cycling, environmental exposure) and of reliability analysis from field or test data


• Basic understanding of electrical and RF systems to ensure a holistic approach to system design

Additional Information:

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.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of 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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know at [e-mail]