Senior Mechanical Engineer - Satellite Systems

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

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.