Mechanical Systems Engineer, Gearbox

Astro Mechanica; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with stock options

Flexible time-off

In-office collaboration

Job summary

Astro Mechanica in San Francisco is seeking a Mechanical Systems Engineer to own the design and validation of high-speed power transmission systems for our turboelectric adaptive jet engine. You will collaborate across propulsion, aircraft, and test teams to deliver optimized transmission hardware for the flight vehicle.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of hands-on transmission design or test experience in aerospace, strong rotordynamics knowledge, and a proven track record of solving complex,

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience with transmission design and/or test in automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications.
• Foundational knowledge of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes.
• Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results.
• Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks).
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced and high-growth environment.
• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work.

Responsibilities

• Architect high-performance, high-speed geartrain systems with consideration for high-speed rotordynamic effects, lubrication, and highly integrated interfaces
• Perform gear design calculations (AGMA/ISO standards), including load capacity, contact stress, and bending fatigue
• Conduct dynamic analysis of rotating systems including vibration, critical speed, and noise, vibration, harshness (KissSoft, Simcenter, SMT MASTA, Ansys)
• Design and analyze custom shaft, bearing, housing, and lubrication system hardware and establish subsystem testing to validate component performance
• Specify qualification testing and analyze test data for hardware behavior and performance characterization
• Improve and maintain the accuracy of simulation models through anchoring to historical and internally generated test data
• Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations
• Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

Skills

Transmission design

Rotordynamics

Test instrumentation

Vibration analysis

Lubrication systems

Tools

KissSoft

Simcenter

SMT MASTA

Ansys

Job description

ABOUT US

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE

Astro Mechanica is looking for a Mechanical Systems engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who has a deep‑seeded understanding of complex system dynamics and can take full ownership of design and validation of high-speed power transmission systems. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the turboelectric adaptive jet engine. In this role, your mission will be to architect, analyze, build, and test critical power transmission systems to power the electric propulsion systems. You will collaborate between propulsion, aircraft, and test teams to deliver optimized transmission hardware for the flight vehicle, proven through rigorous ground testing. You are attentive to detail and enjoy solving nuanced, interconnected problems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Architect high-performance, high-speed geartrain systems with consideration for high-speed rotordynamic effects, lubrication, and highly integrated interfaces
• Perform gear design calculations (AGMA/ISO standards), including load capacity, contact stress, and bending fatigue
• Conduct dynamic analysis of rotating systems including vibration, critical speed, and noise, vibration, harshness (KissSoft, Simcenter, SMT MASTA, Ansys)
• Design and analyze custom shaft, bearing, housing, and lubrication system hardware and establish subsystem testing to validate component performance
• Specify qualification testing and analyze test data for hardware behavior and performance characterization
• Improve and maintain the accuracy of simulation models through anchoring to historical and internally generated test data
• Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations
• Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 5+ years hands‑on experience with transmission design and/or test in automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications
• Foundational knowledge of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes
• Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results
• Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)
• Flexibility to work in a fast‑paced and high‑growth environment
• Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS & BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self-managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
• Flexible work environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in‑office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee’s role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Compensation Range: $150K - $225K