Spacecraft Mechanical Designer

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

Job summary

KBR seeks an experienced Spacecraft Mechanical Designer to develop design concepts for space flight instruments and MGSE. You will support the Spacecraft Mechanical Lead with concept design, detailed flight assembly modeling, and fabrication drawing generation in Creo and SolidWorks.

Responsibilities include creating complex mechanical designs, high-fidelity CAD models, GD&T application, material selection, FEM coordination, and weekly design reviews. Must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in mechanical design or related technical field.
• 5+ years in space/aerospace/defense hardware design with hands-on hardware experience.
• SolidWorks or Creo CAD proficiency; sheet metal, piping, cabling routing.
• Drafting per ASME Y14.1 and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• PLM/CM tools such as PTC WindChill; MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Create and mature mechanical designs for structures, mechanisms, MGSE for spaceflight.
• Develop high-fidelity CAD models and production drawings.
• Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5 for fit and function.
• Select aerospace-grade materials and finishes.
• Coordinate with analysis teams for FEM updates and design changes.
• Support design reviews and project status reporting.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

WindChill PLM

Engineering Drawings (ASME Y14.1)

Job description

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.

Title

Spacecraft Mechanical Designer

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

KBR Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• AD&D
• flexible spending account
• disability
• paid time off
• flexible work schedule
• Professional training & 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.