Senior Mechanical Engineer - Spacecraft Mechanisms

Aleron; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own spacecraft mechanisms through the full product lifecycle, focusing on deployables, actuators, landing legs, latches, hinges, and separation systems, in Leander, TX.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and at least five years of aerospace experience, including motor design for spacecraft, and hands-on experience with FEA tools and Siemens NX.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering required.
• Minimum 5 years in aerospace or related mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 5 years designing and sizing motors for spacecraft.
• Minimum 5 years using FEA/FEM tools such as Nastran, ANSYS, or FEMAP.

Responsibilities

• Own development of spacecraft mechanisms from requirements and concept development through qualification and flight.
• Lead trade studies, conceptual design, mechanism sizing, kinematics, structural analysis, and FEA/FEM.
• Develop 3D CAD models, manufacturing drawings, specifications, and engineering documentation using Siemens NX.
• Design and analyze metallic and composite structures, including material selection, manufacturing methods, and structural failure modes.
• Define and execute development, qualification, acceptance, and functional testing; interpret thermal and vibration test results.
• Apply GD&T, tribology, bearing selection, lubrication, mechanism life, and margin analysis.
• Develop instrumentation and test setups to validate designs and analysis assumptions.
• Lead design reviews and coordinate with suppliers, customers, manufacturing, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Manage technical schedules and budgets and provide technical mentorship to junior engineers.

Skills

Trade studies

Kinematics

Structural analysis

FEA analysis

3D CAD

Materials selection

GD&T

Prototyping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Nastran

ANSYS

FEMAP

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Acara Solutions is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own spacecraft mechanisms through the full product lifecycle, focusing on deployables, actuators, landing legs, latches, hinges, and separation systems, in Leander, TX.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and at least five years of aerospace experience, including motor design for spacecraft, and hands-on experience with FEA tools and Siemens NX.