Spacecraft Mechanical Design Engineer

General Atomics; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems in Englewood, CO is seeking an experienced Spacecraft Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to satellite technology programs. You will design, analyze, draft and test advanced space hardware, applying GD&T and FEA while coordinating with shop and vendors.

In this role you’ll lead integration planning, perform tolerance analyses, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust designs on schedule and within cost targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution with 7+ years in space hardware.
• Strong GD&T and geometric tolerancing expertise.
• CAD experience (SolidWorks) and FEA software (ANSYS/NASTRAN/FEMAP).
• Background in space domain and satellite design.
• Experience with vibration testing and materials characterization.

Responsibilities

• Develop engineering solutions with creative designs, analysis and resolution of routine problems.
• Design, analyze, draft, build and test advanced space hardware; apply statistical methods for manufacturing processes.
• Create design specs, CAD models and drawings; identify conflicts early in the design process.
• Develop integration plans, schedules and milestones to meet budgets and timelines.
• Conduct design reviews and propose optimization to improve integration efficiency.
• Coordinate procurement of components and materials for GA-EMS internal shop and external vendors.
• Lead tolerance stack-up analysis and GD&T to ensure proper fit and alignment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Balance multiple mechanical design projects to meet schedule and cost targets.

Skills

GD&T

SolidWorks

FEA Software

Space Systems

Vibration Testing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

NASTRAN

FEMAP

MATLAB

Job description

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity available within our Mechanical Engineering Team working with satellite technology development. We are looking for an experienced Spacecraft Mechanical Design Engineer with prior experience in dealing with military and space systems to support our team out of Englewood, CO.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing engineering solutions that require creative designs, detailed analysis, investigation, and resolution of routine engineering problems.
• Experience with design, analysis, drafting, build and test of advanced space hardware. Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes.
• Responsible for development of design specifications, CAD models, and technical drawings to identify potential conflicts early in the design process.
• Develop and maintain integration plans, schedules, and milestones to track progress to ensure on budget and timely completion of design integration tasks.
• Conduct design reviews and provide feedback on design concepts, proposing solutions to optimize integration efficiency. Provides practical solutions and insight to problems involving integration and design.
• Coordinate procurement of components and materials required for integration with GA-EMS internal machine shop and external vendors.
• Leads or performs detailed tolerance stack up analysis and geometric and dimensional tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure proper fit and alignment of components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, software, test and systems engineering, to ensure seamless system integration and compatibility.
• Determines technical objectives and develop innovative, practical solutions to advanced technical engineering problems.
• Addresses complex and difficult technical issues requiring highly creative approaches, drawing on advanced engineering concepts.
• Will work on space systems, high energy lasers, electro-optical systems, and other various systems.
• Hands-on work environment and high level of interaction with system components. Oversee prototype builds and implement lessons learned into design.
• Able to balance several mechanical design projects while tracking design/release schedule and cost.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; twelve or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, ten or more years of experience with a masters degree, or seven or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.

Technical Skills

• Strong experience with GD&T application
• Real-world experience in structural design, drafting, and modeling for space vehicles
• Experience with CAD (SolidWorks) and FEA software (ANSYS, NASTRAN, FEMAP) required; MATLAB experience helpful
• Prior experience in space domain and satellite segment design
• Exposure to laboratory environments preferred (materials characterization, testing, vibration analysis, failure analysis)
• Desired knowledge of fluid dynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, dynamics, space systems, launch environments, and optical systems

Professional Skills

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact and provide leadership to junior staff

Conceptual and Analytical Skills

• Quick to understand and apply new concepts in a changing environment
• Thorough grasp of engineering concepts, principles, codes, and theory, with broad and expanding technical knowledge
• Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases, and determine approaches to complex problems

Additional Requirements

• Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS-SCI security clearance is required; an active and current TS/SCI clearance is desired.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary Salary range: 116,480 - 208,505