Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer - Launch & On-Orbit

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 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.