R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

University of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 139,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition reduction for employee and/or/

Retirement plans

Full benefits and paid time off

Job summary

The University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory invites applications for an R&D Mechanical Engineer V. The senior mechanical engineering authority will lead design, integration, and testing of spaceflight payload hardware, including structures and interfaces, from concept through verification.

You will direct complex engineering efforts, mentor teammates, and coordinate with cross-functional partners to meet NASA requirements and project milestones, while upholding quality and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing mechanical hardware for spaceflight or aerospace applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of spaceflight payload hardware from concept to test readiness.
• Establish engineering approaches, resolve technical challenges, and ensure interfaces meet payload and launch constraints.
• Develop mechanical integration and test plans per NASA GEVS or project standards.
• Lead assembly, alignment, interface verification, and environmental tests.
• Coordinate with systems engineering, management, partners, and vendors to meet project objectives.

Skills

Spaceflight hardware design

Mechanical design leadership

Technical problem solving

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

10+ years of relevant experience

Job description

R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

Posting Number

req27462

Department

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

Department Website Link

https://lpl.arizona.edu/

Location

Tucson Campus

Address

Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory invites you to apply to the role of R&D Mechanical Engineer V. The successful candidate will serve as the senior mechanical engineering technical authority for NASA-sponsored spaceflight payload projects, potentially including camera systems, seismometers and spectrometers. They will direct highly complex mechanical design, interface development, integration, environmental verification, and delivery where engineering precedent may be limited. They will establish technical direction, resolve novel engineering challenges, and influence multidisciplinary partners while coordinating project objectives, risk, quality, and documentation. The position supports the University of Arizona's research mission through advanced spaceflight engineering.

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) is a world leader in space science, technology, and exploration, dedicated to advancing the fundamental understanding of the origin and evolution of the Sun, planetary bodies in our solar system, and planetary systems beyond. LPL achieves excellence through cutting-edge research and teaching while mentoring the next generation of planetary scientists. As a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary community, LPL fosters an environment that advances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research, education, and public engagement, where everyone can thrive.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of spaceflight payload hardware, including structures, mounting approaches, mechanical layouts, and design documentation from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, verification, and test readiness.
• Establish engineering approaches, assess complex trade-offs, resolve technical challenges, and ensure designs address payload requirements, spacecraft/lander interfaces, and launch and spaceflight environmental constraints.
• Establish innovative engineering approaches for highly complex, unprecedented technical challenges; evaluate trade-offs and define design practices appropriate to novel scientific instrumentation.
• Develop mechanical integration and test plans for spaceflight hardware, including environmental verification consistent with NASA General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) or applicable project-specific standards.
• Lead assembly, alignment, fit checks, interface verification, environmental tests, and functional test configurations.
• Direct mechanical ground support equipment development, integration procedures, anomaly resolution, test readiness, post-test assessments, and configuration control.
• Lead design, analysis, documentation, and verification of complex interfaces between University of Arizona-developed payloads and externally developed spacecraft or instrument support systems.
• Provide technical inputs to Mechanical Interface Control Documents (MICDs) for delivered flight seismometer units.
• Define interface requirements, integration approaches, and procedures addressing structural, thermal, alignment, manufacturing, and environmental performance; oversee interface maturity and risk mitigation.
• Serve as senior mechanical engineering authority for University of Arizona-led spaceflight payload projects.
• Guide technical decisions, trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and issue resolution. Coordinate activities across systems engineering, project management, external partners, test facilities, and vendors to meet project objectives.
• Providing strategic technical direction, influence cross-functional partners, establish engineering methods and quality practices, and mentor other technical contributors as appropriate to the assigned projects.
• Briefings to executive leadership regarding research findings for projects throughout different stages of development.
• Lead preparation and technical review of engineering drawings, interface control documentation, verification records, test plans and procedures, trade studies, configuration management products, and review packages.
• Provide engineering leadership at design reviews, milestone assessments, and configuration-control activities, supporting compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and NASA documentation expectations.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing mechanical hardware for spaceflight or comparable aerospace applications.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Research

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$139,102 - $180,833

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

14

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level

PC5

Job Family

Research Engineering

Job Function

Research

Type of criminal background check required:

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

1

Contact Information for Candidates

Carina Bennett

Engineering Manager, LPL Spaceflight Hardware

[e-mail]

Open Date

10/28/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter

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