Mechanical Engineer - Space Optics & Satellites

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Redmond, WA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Optics, Satellites (Starlink) program. You will own mechanical and electro-mechanical design from concept through production and on-orbit operation, focusing on precision pointing mechanisms and imaging payloads.

You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver high-bandwidth, flight-ready hardware, perform structural analyses, and drive manufacturability from CAD to flight hardware and test campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 1+ years using CAD, performing design, analysis, testing, or manufacturing.
• Master's degree and 3+ years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical and electro-mechanical hardware from concept to production and on-orbit operation.
• Design precision mechanisms and actuators meeting pointing, stiffness, mass, and reliability goals.
• Develop structural designs and load paths for laser terminals or imaging payloads; perform structural analyses.
• Integrate electronics into flight hardware; manage PCBA packaging and interfaces.
• Iterate designs with system trades on mass, stiffness, cost, and manufacturability.
• Drive design for manufacturability and support ramp to production.
• Create CAD models/drawings with GD&T and release to production.
• Define and execute development, qualification, and acceptance tests (vibe, shock, TVAC).
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, thermal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Own delivery timeline from conception to launch.

Skills

CAD

GD&T

NX

FEA

Test & validation

Design for manufacturability

3D CAD

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

NX

FEA software

PCBA packaging

Job description

SpaceX in Redmond, WA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Optics, Satellites (Starlink) program. You will own mechanical and electro-mechanical design from concept through production and on-orbit operation, focusing on precision pointing mechanisms and imaging payloads.

You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver high-bandwidth, flight-ready hardware, perform structural analyses, and drive manufacturability from CAD to flight hardware and test campaigns.