Senior Mechanical Engineer, Interceptor Systems

GITAI; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance – Platinum plan with

401(k) Company match up to 3.5%

Equity – Stock options depending onbid

Relocation support

Paid time off – holidays, vacation, S

Office perks – snacks and events

Job summary

GITAI is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead interceptor hardware development from architecture through prototype manufacturing, integration and field testing. You’ll own complex mechanical systems, make critical design decisions, and provide direction to the engineering team while staying hands-on with hardware.

You will work across vehicle structures, propulsion interfaces, avionics packaging, internal mechanisms, test fixtures, and ground-support equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
• At least five years of professional experience in rocketry, missiles, launch vehicles, propulsion, or related aerospace field.
• Ownership of rocket or missile hardware from design through manufacturing, assembly, and test.
• Strong mechanical design capability including 3D CAD, drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis.
• Experience leading hardware development or serving as a technical lead.
• Ability to work directly with machinists, technicians, fabrication suppliers, and test teams to solve hardware problems.
• Willingness to spend ~50% of time at remote test sites under demanding field conditions.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture and detailed design of interceptor hardware, including structures, motor mounts, avionics packaging, and ground equipment.
• Translate system requirements and environmental constraints into practical mechanical designs and clear decisions.
• Lead hardware through full development: CAD, drawings, design reviews, fabrication, testing, and redesign.
• Provide technical direction and review junior engineers to improve design quality and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with machinists, technicians, suppliers to resolve manufacturing, assembly, and integration issues.
• Plan and execute structural, environmental, propulsion-related, and vehicle-level tests including field operations and troubleshooting.
• Lead failure investigations, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Make clear tradeoffs among mass, strength, stiffness, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
• Establish lightweight technical standards and adapt quickly as priorities change in an early-stage startup environment.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Material selection

Fastening methods

Design for manufacturing and assembly

Technical direction

Hands-on hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

GITAI is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead interceptor hardware development from architecture through prototype manufacturing, integration and field testing. You’ll own complex mechanical systems, make critical design decisions, and provide direction to the engineering team while staying hands-on with hardware.

You will work across vehicle structures, propulsion interfaces, avionics packaging, internal mechanisms, test fixtures, and ground-support equipment.