Senior Satellite Mechanical Engineer

AST SpaceMobile; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to support spacecraft mechanical systems and payload development across engineering disciplines. You will drive architecture, design, analysis, and manufacturing interfacing for space hardware.

The role requires a Master’s degree and at least 10 years of hands-on spacecraft experience, proficiency with CAD tools (Autodesk Inventor preferred; CATIA/SolidWorks/CREO), and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft mechanical design, integration, and testing.
• Experience with launch vehicle integration is preferred.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, SolidWorks, or CREO.

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft mechanical system and payload layout studies to optimize architecture for simplicity, performance, mass, and cost.
• Develop and maintain mechanical and structural design documentation at the system and equipment level, including manufacturing drawings, ICDs, assembly/process documentation, and test plans.
• Prepare and present technical content for design reviews, readiness reviews, and engineering checkpoints.
• Troubleshoot mechanical anomalies and failures; conduct root-cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing and production teams to ensure effective transfer of designs, processes, and technical information.
• Evaluate, promote, and integrate new technologies, methods, and processes to improve mechanical design and production efficiency.
• Track drawing release progress to meet program schedules and business objectives.

Skills

Spacecraft design

Mechanical design

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

CATIA

SolidWorks

CREO

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to support satellite mechanical systems and payload development across systems engineering, mechanical design, structural analysis, assembly, integration, and test activities. This role requires strong technical expertise, creativity, and the ability to challenge traditional approaches. The engineer will collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, lead small groups when needed, and manage assignments with a high degree of autonomy to advance spacecraft mechanical architecture, performance, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft mechanical system and payload layout studies to optimize architecture for simplicity, performance, mass, and cost.
• Develop and maintain mechanical and structural design documentation at the system and equipment level, including manufacturing drawings, interface control drawings (ICDs), assembly/process documentation, and test plans.
• Prepare and present technical content for design reviews, readiness reviews, and engineering checkpoints.
• Troubleshoot mechanical anomalies and failures; conduct root-cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing and production teams to ensure effective transfer of designs, processes, and technical information.
• Evaluate, promote, and integrate new technologies, methods, and processes to improve mechanical design and production efficiency.
• Track drawing release progress to meet program schedules and business objectives.

Education

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline.

Experience

A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design, integration, and testing of spacecraft and spacecraft components.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with launch vehicle integration.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Inventor (preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, or CREO.
• Demonstrated ability to design spacecraft assemblies for launch and on-orbit environments, including design for manufacturability.

Soft Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail to ensure accuracy in technical documentation and engineering deliverables.
• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Technology Stack

• CAD tools: Autodesk Inventor (preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, CREO.
• Standard engineering analysis and documentation tools.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and operate a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional hands-on work in assembly, integration, and testing environments.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.