Mechanical Engineering Co-op

Xona-Space-Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Co-op in Burlingame to join the Spacecraft Mechanical and Thermal team. You will design and develop mechanical hardware for spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and test, under close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

This paid six-month, full-time co-op offers hands-on experience across design, fabrication, validation, and documentation, with opportunities to contribute to real hardware systems and see projects through from

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS or MS in Mechanical/Aerospace/related field with expected graduation Dec 2026–May 2028.
• Completed at least one internship/co-op in mechanical/hardware engineering.
• Experience designing, building, testing, or supporting mechanical hardware beyond coursework.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of mechanical hardware for spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to define requirements and develop design solutions.
• Create CAD models, manufacturing drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Perform analyses to validate structural, mechanical, and packaging performance.
• Coordinate fabrication, procurement, assembly, and integration of designed hardware.
• Support integration, testing, verification, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Participate in design reviews and cross-functional discussions.
• Communicate progress, tradeoffs, risks, and results to leadership.

Skills

SolidWorks

3D CAD

Mechanical design

Documentation

Cross-functional

Lab work

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA (FEM)

Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

Overview

As a Mechanical Engineering Co-op, you will be an embedded member of our Spacecraft Mechanical and Thermal team and contribute directly to the tools, systems, and hardware that enable spacecraft production and integration.

This is a six-month, full-time co-op intended for students who have already developed hands‑on mechanical engineering experience through a prior internship, co‑op, research role, or similarly rigorous engineering project. You will take ownership of meaningful engineering work spanning design, manufacturing, validation, and implementation.

You will work closely with experienced engineers in a fast‑paced startup environment and see your work contribute to spacecraft production and integration.

What You'll Do

• Own the design and development of mechanical hardware supporting spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and test activities.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to define requirements and develop practical design solutions.
• Create detailed CAD models, manufacturing drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Perform engineering analyses to validate structural, mechanical, and packaging performance.
• Coordinate fabrication, procurement, assembly, and integration of designed hardware.
• Support integration, testing, verification, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Participate in design reviews and cross‑functional engineering discussions.
• Communicate technical progress, tradeoffs, risks, and final results to engineering leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2028.
• Completed at least one prior internship or co‑op in a mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, or closely related hardware-engineering role.
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, testing, or supporting mechanical hardware beyond coursework alone.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Ability to create or interpret mechanical drawings and basic engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of mechanical design fundamentals, including material selection, fastening, tolerancing, load paths, and design tradeoffs.
• Ability to commit to a full‑time, six‑month co‑op.
• Comfortable working in both office and hands‑on laboratory/manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work on‑site in Burlingame throughout the co‑op.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and releasing hardware for fabrication, including drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and/or bills of materials.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA principles and common manufacturing processes such as machining, sheet metal, additive manufacturing, composites, or assembly processes.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, test, troubleshooting, or validation.
• Experience with structural analysis, hand calculations, FEA, or test‑data analysis.
• Experience in a fast‑paced hardware environment, such as robotics, CubeSat teams, Formula SAE, aerospace, research laboratories, or manufacturing.
• Interest in spacecraft, aerospace, and high‑reliability hardware development.

Why You'll Love This Co‑op

• Take ownership of engineering work that directly supports spacecraft production.
• Work through the full hardware‑development cycle: requirements, design, fabrication, integration, test, and deployment.
• Gain six months of immersive experience alongside experienced aerospace engineers.
• See your projects progress from concept through operational deployment.
• Work in a highly collaborative environment with meaningful technical ownership.
• Build practical, career‑relevant experience in spacecraft and high‑reliability hardware development.
• Help develop technology redefining the future of global navigation.

For U.S. Roles:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.