Senior/Lead Mechanical Engineer

AscendArc, Inc.; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AscendArc, Inc. is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and validation of a revolutionary satellite communications system.

This role blends hands-on engineering with structural analysis to ensure spacecraft survive extreme space environments. As an early member of the Mechanical team, you will drive from concept through flight hardware delivery, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, performing CAD work, and guiding testing and integration efforts in Beaverton,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years designing and testing complex aerospace mechanical systems.
• Proficient in 3D CAD and engineering analysis tools (FEA, thermal, tolerances).
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate spacecraft mechanical systems.
• Perform structural analysis to evaluate stiffness, strength, and margins.
• Define interfaces and support system integration with cross‑functional teams.
• Develop CAD models, drawings, and production documentation.
• Support environmental and functional testing (vibration, thermal, deployment).
• Participate in design reviews and mitigate risks early.
• Assist prototyping, hardware builds, and integration activities.

Skills

Mechanical design

Structural analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on prototyping

Education

Bachelor/Master in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

FEA software

Thermal analysis tools

Tolerance analysis tools

Job description

Come join us in shaping the future! Get in on the ground floor as an early member of our Mechanical team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. This role offers the chance to combine hands‑on engineering with in-depth structural analysis to ensure our spacecraft thrive in the extreme space environment. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it.

AscendArc is a seed stage startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground‑breaking and fast‑paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and validation of spacecraft mechanical systems, including structures, mechanisms, and thermal hardware
• Perform structural analysis using FEA to evaluate stiffness, strength, vibration modes, and margins of safety.
• Collaborate with immediate and cross‑functional teams to define mechanical interfaces and support system integration
• Develop CAD models, detailed drawings, and documentation to support manufacturing, assembly, and testing
• Support environmental and functional testing efforts (e.g., vibration, thermal, deployment), including test setup and data collection
• Participate in design reviews and help identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development cycle
• Assist in hands‑on prototyping, hardware builds, and integration activities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience designing and testing complex mechanical systems in the aerospace industry
• Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and engineering analysis tools (FEA, thermal, tolerance analysis)
• Demonstrated experience with full product lifecycle: from early prototyping through flight hardware delivery
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across disciplines and with external partners

Who We’re Looking For

We’re searching for exceptional talent. We value high‑caliber individuals with the drive and creativity to help launch Oregon’s first commercial communications satellite.

• Thrive in a cradle‑to‑grave design environment and take ownership from concept through launch.
• Bring energy, curiosity, and a responsible engineering mindset.
• Want to work alongside other exceptional people in an environment where great ideas rise to the top.

Base Salary

The base salary range for this position is $120,000-190,000/year. When determining an individual’s compensation, we consider several factors including skillset, experience, job scope, and current market data, so pay for this role may vary from the amounts listed.

Legal Eligibility to Work

Due to U.S. export control regulations, this position is only open to “U.S. persons.” That means you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or have refugee/asylee status. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applicants on temporary work visas (such as H‑1B, TN, O‑1, etc.) for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AscendArc is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factor or legally protected status.