Senior/Lead Mechanical Engineer

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

Job summary

AscendArc is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our mechanical team on a ground‑floor basis, developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. You will blend hands‑on engineering with structural analysis to ensure our spacecraft survive the extreme space environment, from concept to flight hardware.

In this role you will design, analyze, test, and deliver mechanical subsystems, work with cross‑functional teams, and participate in design reviews.

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 aerospace.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks) and analysis tools (FEA, thermal, tolerance analysis).
• Demonstrated experience with full product lifecycle: prototyping through flight hardware.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing.
• Strong collaboration and communication across disciplines and with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate spacecraft mechanical systems including structures and thermal hardware.
• Perform structural analysis using FEA to evaluate stiffness, strength, and margins of safety.
• Define mechanical interfaces and support system integration with cross-functional teams.
• Develop CAD models, drawings, and documentation for manufacturing and testing.
• Support environmental and functional testing (vibration, thermal, deployment) and data collection.
• Contribute in design reviews and mitigate risks early in development.
• Assist hands-on prototyping, hardware builds, and integration.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

NX CAD

SolidWorks

FEA

Thermal analysis

Tolerance analysis

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.

We’re Looking For People Who

• 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.