Mechanical Engineer - Rover

Starpath; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Starpath Robotics in Carson, CA seeks a Mechanical Engineer to develop hardware for a lunar rover, collaborating with the electrical, thermal, and software teams. You will design components, run trade studies, create CAD models, and drive prototypes through test and iteration.

Early-career engineers will own scoped components with guidance, while experienced engineers may lead assemblies and verification approaches, contributing to space robotics advancements.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, or testing mechanical hardware through professional work, internships, research, student teams, or substantial personal projects.
• Experience using 3D CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals, including statics, mechanics of materials, dynamics, and heat transfer.
• Familiarity with engineering materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical drawings.
• Ability to reason through unfamiliar problems, explain assumptions, and connect analysis to physical hardware.
• Clear technical communication and the ability to work effectively across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies, translating system requirements into practical hardware.
• Conduct trade studies and first-order calculations to evaluate concepts, size components, and understand design margins.
• Create CAD models, engineering drawings, and supporting analyses.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams to fabricate, assemble, and troubleshoot prototypes and flight hardware.
• Develop and execute test plans to verify performance and support environmental qualification.
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal, and software engineers to resolve interfaces and meet integration milestones.
• Document design decisions and test results, participate in design reviews, and use findings to improve the hardware.

Skills

NX/CATIA/SolidWorks

Mechanical design

Engineering communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

The Mission

Starpath Robotics is developing a full-stack solution for commercial-scale rocket propellant production on the Moon and Mars. We are building one of the key enabling technologies that will make humans a multiplanetary species.

Position Details

Location: Carson, CA — On-site

Employment Type: Full-time

Department: Starmine

Travel: Occasional

The Role

We’re looking for a Mechanical Engineer to help develop critical mechanical systems for Starpath’s lunar rover. Depending on your interests and experience, you may work on electromechanical actuators, structures and passive mechanisms, thermal control hardware, or the mechanical integration of autonomy systems.

You will take hardware from initial requirements and design through fabrication, assembly, and testing. Early-career engineers will own scoped components with guidance from experienced teammates. More experienced engineers will independently own assemblies or subsystems and help define their design and verification approach.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies, translating system requirements into practical hardware.
• Conduct trade studies and first-order calculations to evaluate concepts, size components, and understand design margins.
• Create CAD models, engineering drawings, and supporting analyses.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams to fabricate, assemble, and troubleshoot prototypes and flight hardware.
• Develop and execute test plans to verify performance and support environmental qualification.
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal, and software engineers to resolve interfaces and meet integration milestones.
• Document design decisions and test results, participate in design reviews, and use findings to improve the hardware.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, or testing mechanical hardware through professional work, internships, research, student teams, or substantial personal projects.
• Experience using 3D CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
• Understanding of engineering fundamentals, including statics, mechanics of materials, dynamics, and heat transfer.
• Familiarity with engineering materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical drawings.
• Ability to reason through unfamiliar problems, explain assumptions, and connect analysis to physical hardware.
• Clear technical communication and the ability to work effectively across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience taking a component or assembly from concept through fabrication and testing.
• Experience with finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS or Abaqus.
• Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and designing for manufacturing and assembly.
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Electromechanical actuators, motors, geartrains, or bearings.
  • Passive mechanisms, flexures, deployable structures, or precision assemblies.
  • Structural analysis, rigid-body dynamics, or vibration.
  • Thermal hardware or electronics packaging.
• Experience planning or supporting vibration, shock, thermal, vacuum, or other environmental testing.
• Experience developing hardware for space, robotics, aerospace, automotive, or another demanding operating environment.

EAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity

• Starpath is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Benefits

At Starpath Robotics, base pay is just one part of your total rewards package. We also offer:

• Generous benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible policies to support balance.
• Professional growth opportunities through training and development.
• The chance to own high-impact work that directly shapes the future of robotics & space!
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where craftsmanship and innovation are celebrated.