Spacecraft Mechanical Designer

KBR Careers; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

PTO and flexible schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking an experienced Spacecraft Mechanical Designer to develop innovative concepts for space flight instruments, MGSE, and related assemblies. You will assist the Spacecraft Mechanical Lead with concept design, detailed flight assembly modeling, and fabrication drawing generation using Creo and SolidWorks.

The role requires collaboration with analysis teams, GD&T expertise, and material selection for space environments. A U.S. citizen or Green Card holder is required for ITAR compliance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of space/aerospace/defense hardware design experience.
• Hands-on hardware experience through environmental testing and launch.
• Proficient with SolidWorks and Creo CAD; sheet metal, piping, and cabling modeling.
• Proficient with ASME Y14.1 drawing practices and GD&T per Y14.5.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical design of structures, moving mechanisms, opto-mechanical assemblies, and MGSE for space flight environments.
• Develop high-fidelity CAD models and production-ready drawings.
• Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5 to ensure proper fit and function.
• Coordinate with analysis teams for FEM and design updates.
• Attend weekly mechanical status meetings and support design reviews.

Skills

Mechanical design

Team collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Self-motivated

Education

Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

WindChill PLM

ASME Y14.5 GD&T

Job description

Title: Spacecraft Mechanical Designer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

We are seeking an experienced mechanical designer to develop novel design concepts for space flight instruments including electro-mechanical systems, mechanisms, opto-mechanical, structures and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) for a new mission. You will assist the Spacecraft Mechanical Lead and subsystem leads with concept design, final detailed flight assembly modeling, and fabrication and assembly drawing generation in CAD software including Creo and SolidWorks.

Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design: Create and mature complex mechanical designs for structures, moving mechanisms, opto-mechanical assemblies, and MGSE for space flight environments.
• CAD Modeling: Develop high-fidelity part and assembly CAD models using SolidWorks or Creo.
• Drawing Production: Generate production-ready engineering drawings, including detailed assembly and piece-part designs.
• GD&T Application: Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles per ASME Y14.5 to ensure proper fit, form, and function.
• Material Selection: Select appropriate aerospace-grade materials, surface treatments, and hardware components based on space flight compatibility, thermal needs, and structural loads.
• Analysis Collaboration: Coordinate closely with analysis teams for generation of Finite Element Models (FEM), apply design updates based on analyst recommendations.
• Project Support: Attend and report status at weekly mechanical status meetings, support preparation for key project design reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design or a related technical discipline, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in space/aerospace/defense hardware design. Hands-on experience with spacecraft hardware through environmental testing and into launch preferred.
• Software Proficiency: Dassault SolidWorks and PTC Creo CAD proficiency preferred. Experience with modeling of sheet metal, piping, cabling, routed systems preferred. Proficient with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Drafting Proficiency: Proficient with Engineering Drawing Practices per ASME Y14.1 and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Product Data Management: Proficient with PTC WindChill Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and Configuration Management (CM) systems.
• Core Skills: Ability to work well in a team environment. Good verbal and written communication skills. Self-motivated, self-starter. Ability to work in a dynamic environment and adapt to changes. Ability to multi-task. Good organizational skills.
• Clearance: Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder due to government and ITAR/export control regulations.

Basic Compensation: $123,200.00 - $184,800.00 The offered rate will be based on contract affordability and the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience, and in consideration of internal parity.

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.

We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Click here to learn more: https://careers.kbr.com/us/en/kbr-benefits

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World.

KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values:

• We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.
• We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.
• We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business.
• We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.
• We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.

We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.