Senior/staff Mechanical Engineer Hardware

Front Door Defense; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Front Door Defense is seeking a Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer to join their Space Systems engineering team in Santa Barbara, California. This role involves leading the design and qualification of spacecraft mechanisms and engaging in hands-on hardware testing.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in mechanical engineering, exemplifying skills in design analysis, technical leadership, and collaboration. The position requires an innovative mindset and a commitment to advancing cutting-edge space technology.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable expertise in designing and testing hardware.
• Strong passion for space technology.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues.

Responsibilities

• Design spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems.
• Collaborate to optimize designs for performance.
• Create and review detailed design documentation.
• Lead technical reviews and investigations.
• Develop work instructions and test plans.

Skills

Design and analysis of spacecraft mechanisms

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Detailed design and component selection

Mentorship

Test planning and execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Simulation tools

Job description

Senior/staff Mechanical Engineer

Lead end-to-end design and qualification of spacecraft mechanism drives for on-orbit use

Location: Santa Barbara, California, United States

Compensation: $180,000 - 220,000 USD / year

Job Tags: Hardware

About The Role

Umbra Space Technology Company

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space—for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra's ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms). Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.

If you want to work on cutting edge space technology while maintaining the highest standard for innovation and mission ready performance, you belong here at Umbra.

About the Job

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated professional to become an integral part of our dynamic and multidisciplinary Space Systems engineering team as a Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer. In this position, you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the design and development of innovative, next-generation space systems and mechanisms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep passion for designing, prototyping, building, and testing hardware, as well as demonstrable expertise in the area of rotating machinery.

This position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spacecraft mechanisms, including:
  • Serve as the technical lead for spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems, driving architecture decisions, technical trades, and risk reduction activities.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.
  • Create motorization budgets.
  • Perform detailed design and component selection for encoders and signal routing/cable management.
  • Design for launch loads and stow/release behavior.
  • Create pointing budgets accounting for on-orbit behaviors.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to mechanical engineers across the organization.
• Create detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Own the design through the full build and test lifecycle, including:
  • Lead technical reviews, root-cause investigations, and resolution of complex hardware issues.
  • Conduct Qualification campaigns.
  • Develop test plans and equipment selection for verification of torque and torque margin and open loop and closed loop pointing performance.
  • Verify as built performance over temperature and in the presence of base disturbance.
• Develop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.
• Partner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.
• Provide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.
• Occasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as required.