Space Telescope Precision Mechanisms Engineer

Cosmic Frontier Labs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Education benefits

Commuter benefits

Wellness programs

One Medical

Job summary

Cosmic Frontier Labs seeks a precision mechanisms engineer to design reliable moving systems for space telescopes that must operate in vacuum and across extreme temperatures for years. You will own actuators, bearings, flexures, and sensors, and plan life testing and qualification to mitigate real failure modes.

Successful candidates will have a strong mechanical or aerospace background and proven experience designing stages, deployables, latches, or rotating assemblies with tight tolerances.

Qualifications

• Strong education in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with experience designing precision mechanisms for aerospace or high reliability hardware.
• Experience designing moving systems such as stages, deployables, latches, or rotating assemblies with tight tolerances and repeatability.
• Understanding of mechanisms in vacuum and thermal extremes, including materials selection, lubrication strategies, and failure modes.
• Hands-on experience planning and executing life testing, qualification testing, and root cause driven iteration.

Responsibilities

• Design and build precision mechanisms such as focus stages, filter wheels, shutters, deployables, and latches.
• Own trades in actuators, bearings, flexures, and sensors with a focus on reliability, repeatability, and testability.
• Plan and execute life testing, lubrication and materials choices, and qualification focused on real failure modes.

Skills

Precision mechanism design

Vacuum & thermal tolerance

Life testing & qualification

Test planning & execution

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Actuators

Bearings

Flexures

Sensors

Job description

Cosmic Frontier Labs seeks a precision mechanisms engineer to design reliable moving systems for space telescopes that must operate in vacuum and across extreme temperatures for years. You will own actuators, bearings, flexures, and sensors, and plan life testing and qualification to mitigate real failure modes.

Successful candidates will have a strong mechanical or aerospace background and proven experience designing stages, deployables, latches, or rotating assemblies with tight tolerances.