Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer – Hardware Design & Test

Xona Space Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space Systems in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own hardware from design through test. You will deliver spacecraft components, assemblies, and ground equipment, working with experienced engineers to mature designs.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, testing, and collaboration across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and integration teams. Responsibilities include defining requirements, releasing drawings and BOMs, performing FEA, and supporting qualification tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of professional mechanical hardware development experience, with ownership of components or assemblies.
• Experience carrying hardware through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, and physical testing; able to explain decisions.
• Solid fundamentals: load paths, joints, materials, GD&T, tolerance analysis.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and engineering drawings using SolidWorks or comparable, with controlled release experience.
• Ability to substantiate designs with calculations and basic FEA; loads and thermal interfaces.
• Hands-on experience assembling hardware and developing test setups; troubleshooting discrepancies.
• Ability to manage defined projects independently and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned components and assemblies from requirements through design, procurement, build, verification, and production support, with senior guidance on complex architecture and high-risk decisions.
• Design flight hardware and mechanical GSE; create and release CAD, drawings, bills of materials, and interface definitions with appropriate GD&T, tolerance analysis, and configuration control.
• Evaluate design options for strength, stiffness, packaging, manufacturability, assembly, cost, and schedule. Document recommendations and participate in design reviews.
• Use first-principles calculations and structural FEA appropriate to the hardware. Work with senior engineers and analysis specialists to confirm loads, assumptions, margins, and thermal interfaces.
• Build and evaluate prototypes, develop fixtures and functional test setups, and use measurements and test results to improve designs.
• Support assembly, integration, and qualification of assigned hardware, including occasional vibration and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test support, hardware preparation, and review of findings.
• Investigate manufacturing, integration, and test anomalies. Develop and verify corrective actions with the team, update documentation, and support production when issues arise.
• Work directly with suppliers and technicians to answer technical questions, review manufacturability and inspection needs, and resolve issues affecting hardware delivery.
• Coordinate interfaces across mechanical, thermal, electrical, payload, and integration and test teams. Track your commitments, communicate risks early, and ask for support before issues affect delivery.

Skills

Mechanical design

GD&T

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

Engineering calculations

Vendor collaboration

Test setups

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Xona Space Systems in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own hardware from design through test. You will deliver spacecraft components, assemblies, and ground equipment, working with experienced engineers to mature designs.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, testing, and collaboration across mechanical, thermal, electrical, and integration teams. Responsibilities include defining requirements, releasing drawings and BOMs, performing FEA, and supporting qualification tests.