Optical Satellite Mechanisms Engineer

SpaceX; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Vacation and holidays

Shuttle service

Job summary

SpaceX in Redmond, WA seeks a Mechanical Engineer - Optical for satellites to own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from concept through production and on-orbit operation. You will work with optical, electrical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to create robust, flight-ready hardware.

The role emphasizes CAD proficiency, hands-on testing in labs or on the factory floor, and design-for-manufacturability for both high-volume terminals and advanced payloads.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
• 1+ years of CAD and mechanical design experience including testing or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from concept to on-orbit operation.
• Design precision mechanisms and actuators—gimbals, fast-steering stages, flexures, launch locks, and related kinematics.
• Develop structural designs and load paths for laser terminals or imaging payloads; perform and interpret structural analysis (static, modal, random vibration, shock).
• Integrate electronics into flight hardware: PCBA packaging, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, connectors, and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Rapidly iterate on design and analysis to inform system-level trades across mass, stiffness, pointing, cost, and manufacturability.
• Drive design for manufacturability and assembly for high-volume Starlink terminals and lower-rate, higher-performance hardware.
• Create CAD models and drawings with GD&T; release designs into production and support the factory through ramp.
• Define and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including environmental test (vibe, shock, TVAC).
• Lead root-cause investigations on mechanical issues and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with optical, electrical, thermal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to deliver an integrated product.
• Own delivery timeline through conception, design, build, test, and launch.

Skills

CAD and mechanical design

Test lab hands-on

Manufacturing awareness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX CAD

FEA software

Job description

SpaceX in Redmond, WA seeks a Mechanical Engineer - Optical for satellites to own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from concept through production and on-orbit operation. You will work with optical, electrical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to create robust, flight-ready hardware.

The role emphasizes CAD proficiency, hands-on testing in labs or on the factory floor, and design-for-manufacturability for both high-volume terminals and advanced payloads.