Mechanisms Engineer II – Opto-Mechanical Systems

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an early- to mid-career mechanical engineer to support the design and development of precision gimbal assemblies for space-based optical systems. You will work on mechanism-level requirements, perform trades and analyses, and contribute to qualification testing, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

The role emphasizes 3D CAD proficiency (Creo/NX/SolidWorks), FEA experience (ANSYS/NASTRAN/Comsol), and a solid foundation in mechanism kinematics and GD&T.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field
• 2+ years of experience in mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
• Exposure to the design or analysis of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as Creo, NX, or SolidWorks
• Exposure to finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or Comsol
• Foundational knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
• Familiarity with space qualification testing concepts including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
• Familiarity with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
• Awareness of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status required under export control regulations
• Required to complete Blue’s Standard Background Check

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms
• Assist in developing mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins
• Perform design trade studies and analyses for gimbal configurations
• Support mechanism qualification activities, including testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments
• Prepare mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on mechanism integration and interface definition
• Apply mechanism design principles under mentorship from senior engineers
• Support production transition activities, including tolerance analysis and DFM/DFA reviews
• Contribute to motor and encoder selection, bearing selection and preload analysis, lubrication strategies, and FMEA
• Travel up to 20% for integration activities, launch campaigns, and meetings

Skills

Mechanism Design

3D CAD Software

Finite Element Analysis

Space Qualification Testing

Tolerance Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Comsol

Job description

• Support design and development of precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms for space-based optical communications terminals
• Assist in developing mechanism-level performance requirements, error budgets, and design margins across structural, thermal, and dynamic domains
• Perform design trade studies and analyses for gimbal configurations, including mass, volume, stiffness, pointing accuracy, and on-orbit lifetime
• Support mechanism qualification activities, including component- and system-level testing in shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum environments
• Prepare mechanism design documentation, analysis reports, and test procedures for senior engineer review
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on mechanism integration, harness routing, and interface definition
• Apply mechanism design principles and analysis methods under mentorship from senior and principal engineers
• Support production transition activities, including tolerance analysis and DFM/DFA reviews
• Contribute to motor and encoder selection, bearing selection and preload analysis, lubrication strategies, mechanism-level FMEA, and reliability analysis
• Travel up to 20% for integration activities, launch campaigns, and customer/vendor meetings

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive or related technical field
• 2+ years of experience in mechanisms design for space, aerospace, or high-reliability applications
• Exposure to the design or analysis of gimbal assemblies, multi-axis pointing mechanisms, or similar precision mechanical systems
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as Creo, NX, or SolidWorks
• Exposure to finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, or Comsol
• Foundational knowledge of mechanism kinematics, dynamics, and structural analysis
• Familiarity with space qualification testing concepts including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum
• Familiarity with bearing systems, drive trains, or precision actuators
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and interface control documentation
• Awareness of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status required under export control regulations
• Required to complete Blue’s Standard Background Check

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in mechanism design and analysis for precision gimbal assemblies and pointing mechanisms, with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and space qualification testing. Proficient in 3D CAD software and familiar with DFM/DFA principles, ensuring effective collaboration and communication in cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Mechanism Design
• 3D CAD Software Proficiency
• Finite Element Analysis
• Space Qualification Testing
• Tolerance Analysis

Hard Skills

• Mechanism Kinematics
• Mechanism Dynamics
• Structural Analysis
• GD&T
• Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
• Design for Manufacturing
• Design for Assembly
• Gimbal Assemblies Design
• Pointing Mechanisms Design
• Reliability Analysis

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Communication

Industry Keywords

• Aerospace Engineering
• High-Reliability Applications
• Precision Mechanical Systems
• Vibration Testing
• Shock Testing
• Thermal Vacuum Testing

Tools & Technologies

• Creo
• NX
• SolidWorks
• ANSYS
• NASTRAN
• Comsol