Mechanical Engineer - Starship Structures & Flight Hardware

United States Digital Space LLC; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Mechanical Engineer (Starship Structures) to design and build flight hardware including primary structures, propellant tanks, and integration interfaces. You will create CAD models in NX, run FE analyses, and iterate designs for manufacturability while collaborating with a fast-paced production team.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware work, rapid decision-making, and contributing to high-risk, high-reward spaceflight projects in Starbase, Texas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, or building structures (internship and school projects qualify).
• Experience with hardware design or testing is a plus.
• Strong data-driven decision-making and solid fundamentals in engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop design concepts from a clean sheet and size vehicle structures based on flight loads.
• Collaborate with peers to balance mass, cost, and capability.
• Create CAD models in NX for components, assemblies, and vehicle integration.
• Build finite element models to assess designs against vehicle needs.
• Apply first-order calculations and empirical methods for rapid iteration.
• Validate designs by developing tests for joints and elements.
• Perform structural testing on subassemblies and airframe sections.
• Partner with build engineers and technicians to improve designs.
• Support assembly in the factory and observe hardware take flight.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Engineering fundamentals

Trade studies

Hands-on hardware

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Finite Element Analysis

Job description

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Mechanical Engineer (Starship Structures) to design and build flight hardware including primary structures, propellant tanks, and integration interfaces. You will create CAD models in NX, run FE analyses, and iterate designs for manufacturability while collaborating with a fast-paced production team.

The role emphasizes hands-on hardware work, rapid decision-making, and contributing to high-risk, high-reward spaceflight projects in Starbase, Texas.