Senior Mechanisms Engineer

Karman+; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Equity plan (stock options)

Medical plans (Gold coverage)

Premium premiums covered

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

FAMLI leave

Job summary

Karman+ is seeking an experienced mechanical design engineer to lead the development of mission-critical space mechanisms, including thruster gimbals, deployers, and solar array drives. You will drive CAD-to-reality through design, analysis, build, test, and integration for orbit-ready hardware.

The role emphasizes hands-on capability, understanding of materials compatibility, outgassing, and thermal effects, with a focus on delivering robust mechanisms for space missions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanism design for space systems.
• Experience with machining and manufacturing of space mechanisms.
• Knowledge of materials compatibility, outgassing, and thermal expansion.

Responsibilities

• Lead full cycle design to build and test space mechanisms.
• Specify material choices and environmental compatibility for orbit.
• Drive design, analysis, build, test and integration.
• Collaborate with teams to refine requirements and manage risks.

Skills

Mechanism design

Spacecraft design concepts

Problem solving

Tools

Finite element analysis

Machining processes

Job description

At Karman+ we are building vehicles for beyond earth orbit. Your role would be to drive development of mission critical mechanisms, such as solar array drive actuators, thruster gimbals, and deployers. With your expertise, you will take new and existing designs from CAD to reality, by driving design, analysis, build, test, and integration.

Salary Range: $100k - 140k annually

Key Responsibilities

• Full cycle development of thruster gimbals, solar array drives, and deployers.
• Own material selection, and environmental compatibility to ensure successful operation of mechanisms in orbit.
• Drive manufacturing of components and assess build vs buy trades.
• Design and procure drive trains for linear and rotational actuators.
• Specify and implement feedback mechanisms.
• Finite element analysis, stress contact studies, and thermal expansion simulations for relevant mission phases.
• Collaborate closely with other teams to refine requirements, based on their use cases.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with the mechanical and robotic subsystems. Conduct regular reviews to address technical risks and adjust mitigation strategies as needed.

What You Bring

• Equivalent of 5+ years of experience in mechanism design, with a hands-on approach to design, analysis, build, and testing.
• A robust understanding of design considerations for spacecraft mechanisms, such as light weighting, surface coating selection, materials compatibility, galvanic corrosion/dissimilar metals, outgassing, and thermal expansion.
• Proven track record in machining and manufacturing of space mechanisms through a combination of vertical integration and outsourcing.
• Problem-solving mindset— going from theory to hardware by working in a lab to define testing and verify analysis to ensure integrity across mission phases.
• An understanding of thermal and propulsion system design considerations.
• A desire to keep design cycles tight, by following a build and break philosophy.
• Motivation to challenge the status quo, and be an integral part of an elite team.

Karman+ Benefits Overview

• 1. Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
• We focus on what you get done, not how many hours or days you work.
• 2. Equity Incentive Plan
• We firmly believe in recognizing and rewarding the invaluable contributions made by our employees. To this end, we have established an Equity Incentive Plan that includes granting non-qualified stock options to employees. These Non-Qualifying Stock Options will be awarded in a separate agreement.
• 3. Medical plans
• We offer you a choice of three different plans that provide comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage. We cover 100% of your premium for the Gold plan.
• We cover 100% of your premiums.
• 5. Life insurance
• We cover the premium for a $50,000 policy.
• 6. Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
• We cover the whole premium.
• 7. 401(k) Retirement Plan
• We offer you an opportunity to plan for retirement by contributing to your 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on a pre-tax or after-tax basis (Roth) through Guideline.
• 8. FAMLI
• You are eligible for Colorado's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, which provides paid leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. This includes up to 12 weeks of leave (or 16 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth complications), with contributions shared by the Company and you as required by law. For more details on eligibility, contributions, and applications, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's FAMLI website or contact human resources.