Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft (II-III)

Menlo Ventures; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

Equity

401K

Parental Leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

True Anomaly seeks a Mechanical Engineer (II-III) to lead mechanical design of flight systems for space vehicles, from small sat platforms to servicing craft. You will own 3D CAD models, structural layouts, and integration with electronics, thermal, and propulsion.

Your work supports space security and satellite autonomy in demanding environments. You will collaborate across teams, iterate from concept to flight hardware, and ensure designs meet mass, performance, and reliability requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 1–7 years of mechanical design experience, preferably in aerospace/defense.
• Experience with spacecraft structures, mechanisms, or space environments.
• Hands-on NX and/or SolidWorks CAD modeling and drawing creation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with launch and on-orbit design considerations.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Support design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical structures for satellites and servicing vehicles.
• Assist development from concept through prototyping to flight hardware.
• Design primary/secondary structures for launch loads per ICD requirements.
• Contribute to mechanisms and deployment systems for on-orbit operations.
• Assist electronics packaging with thermal interfaces and harness routing.
• Support propulsion system mechanical integration and routing.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and drawings with GD&T.
• Prepare design rationales and interface control documents for reviews.
• Develop test plans for structural/assembly qualification and verification.
• Maintain design integrity in PLM/CM systems.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

GD&T

3D CAD

FEA tools

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

As a Mechanical Engineer (II-III) at True Anomaly, you will be at the forefront of designing and developing the next generation of spacecraft that define the future of space security and sustainability. From LEO/GEO satellites to small sat platforms and on-orbit servicing vehicles, you will own the mechanical design of flight systems that operate in some of the most demanding environments known to engineering. This is a rare opportunity to shape vehicle architecture from the ground up — translating mission requirements into flight‑ready hardware that safeguards access to space for the U.S. and its allies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical structures, mechanisms, and assemblies for LEO/GEO satellites, small sat platforms, and on‑orbit servicing vehicles, ensuring designs meet performance, mass, and reliability requirements.
• Assist in the development of spacecraft structural systems from concept and trade studies through prototyping and flight hardware delivery, under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Support the design of primary and secondary structures for launch load environments, including sine burst, random vibration, and shock, in compliance with launch vehicle ICD requirements.
• Contribute to the design of spacecraft mechanisms and deployment systems, including hinges, hold‑down and release mechanisms, and other moving assemblies intended for on‑orbit operation.
• Assist in the packaging and integration of electronics assemblies and avionics hardware within the spacecraft structure, with consideration for thermal interfaces, harness routing, and accessibility during integration and test.
• Support propulsion system mechanical integration efforts, including structural mounting, thruster bracket design, and propellant line routing.
• Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for spacecraft components, subsystems, and assemblies using NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
• Create accurate piece part and assembly drawings with proper application of GD&T standards.
• Support design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) by preparing technical documentation, design rationales, and interface control documents.
• Assist in the development and execution of structural and mechanisms test plans to support hardware qualification and acceptance activities.
• Work within configuration management systems and PLM/MES tools to maintain design integrity and documentation traceability.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 1–7 years of professional experience in mechanical design, preferably within aerospace, defense, or a related industry.
• Exposure to or coursework in spacecraft or satellite systems, including structural design, mechanisms, or space environment considerations.
• Hands‑on experience with 3D CAD modeling and drawing creation in NX (Siemens) and/or SolidWorks.
• Working knowledge of GD&T principles and their application to piece part and assembly drawings.
• Familiarity with structural and mechanical design principles, including load paths, joints, and materials selection relevant to launch and on‑orbit environments.
• Exposure to mechanisms design, including hinges, deployment systems, actuators, or other moving assemblies.
• Familiarity with electronics packaging concepts, including thermal interface materials, harness routing, and avionics integration constraints.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross‑functional team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience designing hardware for space or flight environments, including considerations for launch loads, thermal cycling, vacuum outgassing, and radiation.
• Familiarity with smallsat or CubeSat platforms, including COTS component integration and mass‑constrained design.
• Exposure to on‑orbit servicing concepts, proximity operations vehicles, or docking and capture mechanisms.
• Familiarity with structural analysis methods or FEA tools (e.g., NASTRAN, Ansys) and ability to interpret results in support of design decisions.
• Exposure to propulsion system mechanical integration, including thruster or tank mounting and propellant line routing.
• Familiarity with relevant spacecraft and aerospace standards (e.g., NASA-STD-5001, GEVS, AIAA S‑110, MIL‑SPEC).
• Exposure to full hardware lifecycle, from concept and design through fabrication, assembly, and test.
• Familiarity with configuration management and PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill) and engineering change processes.
• Experience working in a startup or fast‑paced environment with compressed development timelines.
• Active U.S. security clearance or ability and willingness to obtain one.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary:
  • $90,000 - $165,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance
• Work Location— Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach.
• Work environment— the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person’s working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands— the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.