Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II — End-to-End Build Ownership

Fortastra; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Comprehensive Healthcare

Equity

401(k)

Job summary

Fortastra, located in Torrance, CA, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to design, integrate, and build autonomous spacecraft. This hands-on role offers ownership across the full product lifecycle, from CAD and mechanical design to floor‑level integration and testing.

The ideal candidate has a solid foundation in mechanical design and CAD, with 2–5 years of relevant experience, and a readiness to grow into broader ownership within a small, high‑impact team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 2–5 years of mechanical design experience for high‑reliability systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, Creo, SolidWorks).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to spacecraft mechanical configuration, component layout, and system interfaces.
• Create and maintain CAD models for parts and assemblies, including mounting hardware, brackets, panels, and simple structural elements.
• Support the evolution of the overall spacecraft CAD model by adding and updating subsystem hardware under guidance from senior engineers.
• Help identify and resolve basic mechanical interferences with harnessing, cabling, avionics boxes, sensors, and other subsystem hardware.
• Generate and release detailed drawings, bills of materials, and mechanical documentation with disciplined revision control.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal engineers to support integrated mechanical solutions.
• Work with manufacturing and integration teams to ensure designs can be fabricated, assembled, and accessed for test and maintenance.
• Support bring‑up and integration activities on the floor, including fit checks, build support, and hardware rework when needed.

Skills

3D CAD basics

Mechanical design basics

Documentation & revision control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX/Creo/SolidWorks

Job description

Fortastra, located in Torrance, CA, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to design, integrate, and build autonomous spacecraft. This hands-on role offers ownership across the full product lifecycle, from CAD and mechanical design to floor‑level integration and testing.

The ideal candidate has a solid foundation in mechanical design and CAD, with 2–5 years of relevant experience, and a readiness to grow into broader ownership within a small, high‑impact team.