Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Lead

CesiumAstro; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 133,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead a spacecraft mechanics team from concept through space flight, delivering robust designs and ensuring cross‑functional alignment across subsystems. The role demands hands‑on CAD/FEA work, rigorous engineering, and collaboration with engineering teams and customers.

The successful candidate will oversee requirements, architecture trades, testing campaigns, and in‑orbit support while mentoring engineers to grow a capable, high‑performing

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university.
• 9 years of experience in communications satellite structures and mechanisms design from concept to decommissioning across multiple programs.
• At least 5 years of experience leading technical teams.
• Significant contributions to multiple flight missions, plus lead ownership of one or more full mechanical development cycles at the space vehicle level.
• Ability to support subsystem leads with clear mechanical interfaces and cross‑functional alignment.
• Hands‑on experience in satellite and large instrument AI&T that leads directly to design implementation.
• Strong opinions on the meaning of engineering rigor and lean process.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of engineers responsible for mechanical aspects of spacecraft, subsystems, and interfaces through all development phases.
• Direct requirements definition, architecture trades, block diagrams, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, and in‑orbit support.
• Collaborate closely with GNC, EPS, CDH, Payload, RF, Systems, and AI&T teams.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and executive team; participate in proposal writing.

Skills

Mechanical design

Team leadership

Structural analysis

CAD SolidWorks

Thermal architecture

Manufacturing experience

GD&T

Composite panels

Spacecraft structures

AI&T familiarity

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks Simulation

Ansys

Nastran

CNC manufacturing

FEA tools

Job description

CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead a spacecraft mechanics team from concept through space flight, delivering robust designs and ensuring cross‑functional alignment across subsystems. The role demands hands‑on CAD/FEA work, rigorous engineering, and collaboration with engineering teams and customers.

The successful candidate will oversee requirements, architecture trades, testing campaigns, and in‑orbit support while mentoring engineers to grow a capable, high‑performing