Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer – Spacecraft

EVONA; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA is partnering with an innovative space technology company in Denver to recruit a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead spacecraft mechanical development.

You will own the mechanical architecture, oversee design, integration, and qualification across the full development lifecycle while mentoring a team of engineers and collaborating with cross-functional groups to deliver radio, thermal, and structural systems for next-generation satellites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience and leading spacecraft development through full lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft mechanical architecture, structural design, and interfaces.
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience for engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and qualification.
• Proficiency in GD&T, drawings, and engineering design practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering activities across spacecraft, subsystems, and interfaces.
• Own spacecraft mechanical architecture, structural design, and major technical decisions.
• Oversee requirements, design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification.
• Develop spacecraft structures, electronics packaging, thermal architecture, and mechanisms.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to a team of mechanical engineers.
• Support spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Nastran

GD&T

Engineering drawings

Job description

Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer – Spacecraft

Job Type: Full-time | On-site

About the Opportunity

EVONA is partnering with an innovative space technology company at the forefront of developing advanced satellite communications systems.

We are seeking a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical development of next-generation spacecraft and satellite systems.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced mechanical engineering leader to take ownership of spacecraft mechanical architecture, design, integration, and qualification, guiding complex hardware from initial concept through successful spaceflight.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership skills and a passion for developing cutting-edge space hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering activities across spacecraft, subsystems, and mechanical interfaces.
• Own spacecraft mechanical architecture, structural design, and major technical decisions.
• Oversee the full development lifecycle, including requirements, design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification.
• Lead the development of spacecraft structures, electronics packaging, thermal architecture, and mechanical mechanisms.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to a team of mechanical engineers.
• Support spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and resolution of complex technical challenges.
• Collaborate with electrical, RF, thermal, GNC, systems, manufacturing, and AI&T teams.
• Present technical designs and engineering recommendations during customer and internal design reviews.
• Support technical proposals and engineering documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading spacecraft or satellite mechanical development through a complete development lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft mechanical architecture, structural design, and mechanical interfaces.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership and mentoring engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and qualification.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturing, assembly, testing, and reliability.
• Proficiency in GD&T, mechanical drawings, and engineering design practices.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft primary and secondary structures, including metallic or composite designs.
• Experience supporting vibration, shock, and thermal-vacuum (TVAC) testing.
• Knowledge of electronics packaging, deployable structures, and spacecraft mechanisms.
• Experience with CAD and analysis tools such as SolidWorks, ANSYS, Nastran, or equivalent.
• Previous experience working in fast-paced spacecraft development environments.

Why Join?

• Work on advanced spacecraft and satellite communications technologies.
• Take technical ownership of complex flight hardware from concept to orbit.
• Lead and mentor talented engineers working on challenging aerospace projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams developing next-generation space systems.
• Join an innovative engineering environment where your work directly contributes to real space missions.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet applicable U.S. space technology export-control requirements, including qualifying as a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, or otherwise being eligible for required export authorizations.