Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Pulse Space; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Health, dental, vision, and 401(k)

Job summary

Pulse Space Inc. is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and integration of mechanical systems for satellite platforms and laser payloads.

You will drive hardware from concept through qualification testing and flight production, collaborating with optical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineers to deliver space-qualified solutions. The role requires creative problem-solving and rigorous engineering discipline, with opportunity to contribute to high‑data

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Eng.
• 5+ years designing space/defense mechanical systems
• Proficient in CREO (NX/SolidWorks also accepted)
• Experience with FEA for structural/thermal
• GD&T per ASME Y14.5
• Knowledge of space environment constraints
• Ability to own hardware from concept to production

Responsibilities

• Design satellite structural assemblies and payload housings.
• Perform structural and thermal analyses.
• Design deployable mechanisms and articulation assemblies.
• Develop thermal management architectures.
• Apply GD&T to drawings/models.
• Drive DFM and DFA to optimize production.
• Select materials and coatings for space environments.
• Build and execute qualification test plans.
• Collaborate with optical engineers on interfaces.
• Support integration and test activities and implement design improvements.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD (CREO)

FEA (structural/thermal)

DFM / DFA

GD&T ASME Y14.5

Thermal management

Materials selection

Python / MATLAB

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CREO

NX

SolidWorks

Ansys

NASTRAN

Abaqus

Job description

Pulse Space Inc. develops advanced photonics and high-power laser systems for industrial, defense, and scientific applications. Our team drives innovation in kW-class fiber laser architectures, beam combining techniques, and next-generation directed-energy platforms.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and integration of mechanical systems for our satellite platforms and laser payloads. This role requires both creative problem-solving and rigorous engineering discipline — you will develop hardware from initial concept through qualification testing and flight production. You will collaborate with optical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineers to deliver space-qualified mechanical systems that enable our mission-critical payloads.

In this role, you will

• Design satellite structural assemblies, payload housings, and precision optomechanical mounts using CREO or equivalent 3D CAD software
• Perform structural analysis (static, dynamic, modal) and thermal analysis to ensure designs meet launch loads, on-orbit environments, and operational requirements
• Design deployable mechanisms and articulation assemblies with emphasis on reliability, mass efficiency, and performance in the space environment
• Develop thermal management architectures including conductive paths, radiators, heat pipes, and interface designs to maintain optical and electronic components within operating limits
• Apply GD&T principles to drawings and models to ensure manufacturability, inspectability, and assembly tolerance stack-up closure
• Drive design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) — optimize part count, standardize fasteners, reduce process complexity, and enable high-rate production
• Select materials, coatings, and surface treatments appropriate for space environments: outgassing requirements, thermal cycling, radiation exposure, and micrometeorite resistance
• Build and execute qualification test plans: vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and functional performance testing to validate designs against requirements
• Work closely with optical engineers to design kinematic mounts, alignment features, and optomechanical interfaces that maintain beam quality and pointing accuracy
• Support integration and test activities, troubleshoot hardware issues, and implement design improvements based on test data and on-orbit performance

What you bring

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related discipline
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing mechanical systems for space, defense, or high‑reliability applications
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (CREO strongly preferred; NX, SolidWorks, or similar also considered)
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals: stress analysis, fatigue, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, and dynamics
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools for structural and thermal simulation (e.g., Ansys, Nastran, Abaqus, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5
• Familiarity with space environment constraints: vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, launch loads, and material compatibility
• Demonstrated ability to own hardware from concept through production, including design trades, analysis, testing, and documentation
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams

What will set you apart

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience designing flight hardware for space vehicles or satellite payloads that have flown or been qualified for flight
• Hands‑on experience with precision optomechanical systems: kinematic mounts, athermalization techniques, alignment methods, and stability requirements
• Background in deployable mechanisms (solar arrays, antennas, booms) or pointing/articulation systems (gimbals, scan mirrors, reaction wheels)
• Knowledge of composite materials, laminate analysis, and composite manufacturing processes
• Experience with thermal control design: heat pipes, phase‑change devices, MLI blankets, radiator sizing, and thermal interface materials
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing (DMLS, SLM) for space applications and design for additive manufacturing principles
• Track record of taking hardware from early prototypes to high‑rate production in aerospace or defense programs
• Experience with scripting or programming (Python, MATLAB) for design automation, parametric studies, or data analysis
• Active U.S. security clearance or eligibility to obtain one is a plus

What we offer

• Competitive salary and equity participation commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits: health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match
• The chance to work on state‑of‑the‑art laser systems with tangible real‑world impact
• A collaborative, fast‑paced R&D culture that values technical excellence
• Professional development support including conference travel and continuing education