Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Docking, Capture, and Mating Systems)

Rendezvous Robotics; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rendezvous Robotics is seeking a Mid to Senior Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to own docking, capture, and mating hardware for in-space assembly of self-assembling satellites. You will lead design, analysis, and testing from concept through qualification and production, coordinating with GNC, electrical, avionics, software, and external suppliers.

The role is based on-site in Golden, Colorado, and requires 4+ years of spacecraft mechanisms experience, a solid CAD background, and hands-on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (required).
• 4+ years of spacecraft or satellite mechanism design experience.
• Flight-qualified spaceflight hardware experience.
• Mechanism design with repeated contact and cyclic operation.
• Tolerance stack‑up analysis across interfaces.
• Design of connector or contact interfaces with high reliability.
• Hands‑on mechanism development, assembly, and test.
• Proficiency with structural FEA for modal, quasi‑static, and random vibration.
• Strong 3D CAD, drawings, tolerances, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Knowledge of spaceflight materials, hardware, and fabrication techniques.

Responsibilities

• Own docking latch design including capture envelope and preload.
• Own the mating electrical interface, blind‑mate connectors, mate/de‑mate forces.
• Manage the alignment budget and tolerances across interfaces.
• Trace the load path from docking interface into primary structure.
• Analyze differential thermal expansion and load transfer at the joint.
• Design for contamination, debris, and wear tolerance at mating interfaces.
• Perform structural analysis of the mechanism and joint for vibration.
• Develop test plans and support TVAC, wear, and life tests.
• Select materials, coatings, and lubricants for repeated mating in vacuum.
• Engage suppliers, support fabrication, and produce GD&T drawings.

Skills

CAD design

GD&T

FEA

Mechanical design

Spaceflight hardware

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree (a plus)

Tools

Onshape

Python

MATLAB

FEM tools (ANSYS/Nastran)

Job description

Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Docking, Capture, and Mating Systems)

Today, everything we send to space is constrained by what fits inside a rocket fairing. That’s a fundamental bottleneck to building more capable spacecraft. Rendezvous Robotics is solving this problem with electromagnetic self-assembling tiles that enable spacecraft that are bigger and more powerful than anything that can be folded to fit into a rocket. We’re a small team based in Golden, Colorado, executing on a clear path from flight demonstration to our first operational systems. Our work spans hardware, software, and systems engineering, and we’re always looking for people who want to build things that matter.

The Role

We are looking for a Mid to Senior Level Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to own the design, analysis, and testing of the docking, capture, and mating systems that make in-space assembly of our self-assembling satellites possible, taking flight hardware from concept through qualification, production, and on-orbit operation. This is capture and mating hardware of the class flown on rendezvous, servicing, and robotic assembly missions, designed for repeated operation between free-flying spacecraft. You will own the docking latch and the mating electrical interface, the alignment budget, the life and wear test program, and the structural analysis that supports them. You will partner with GNC, systems, electrical, avionics, software, manufacturing, test, and outside suppliers. This is a full-time, on-site role in Golden, Colorado, in the Denver metro area.

Responsibilities

• Own docking latch design, including capture envelope, misalignment tolerance, latch preload, and structural performance of the mated joint.
• Own the mating electrical interface, including blind‑mate connector design or selection, mounting, mate and de‑mate forces, contact wear, cycle life, and scoop‑proofing.
• Own the alignment budget, allocating tolerance across approach conditions, manufacturing tolerances, and mechanism compliance.
• Own the load path from the docking interface into primary structure.
• Analyze differential thermal expansion and load transfer across the mated joint.
• Design for contamination, debris, and wear tolerance at mating interfaces.
• Perform structural analysis of the mechanism and the mated joint, including modal, quasi‑static, and random vibration.
• Develop test plans and support life, wear, vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns, including cycle counts, accelerated test methods, and instrumentation.
• Select materials, coatings, and lubricants for repeated mating in vacuum.
• Engage suppliers, support fabrication processes, and produce and check detailed drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 4+ years of spacecraft or satellite mechanism design experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing spaceflight hardware that has flown or completed flight qualification.
• Mechanism design experience with repeated contact and cyclic operation, such as latches, docking, capture, mating interfaces, or retention and release mechanisms.
• Experience with tolerance stack‑up analysis and tolerance allocation across mechanical interfaces.
• Experience designing connector or contact interfaces where mate reliability was a driving requirement.
• Hands‑on mechanism development, assembly, and test experience.
• Proficiency with structural finite element analysis (FEA) for modal, quasi‑static, and random vibration analysis.
• Strong command of 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerance stack‑ups, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Solid understanding of spaceflight materials, hardware, and fabrication techniques.
• Strong ability to communicate across engineering disciplines to make program‑critical decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with on‑orbit servicing, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), docking, robotic interfaces, or in‑space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) vehicles, including docking mechanisms, capture systems, or servicer‑to‑client structural interfaces.
• Familiarity with vacuum tribology and contact wear, including material and coating selection for repeated mating.
• Experience planning and executing life and accelerated wear tests.
• Experience with statistical tolerance analysis, including Monte Carlo and RSS.
• Experience designing load paths into sandwich panel edges or thin‑wall enclosures.
• Familiarity with compliant and precision mounting approaches, including flexures, floating mounts, gimbals, and fine pointing mechanisms.
• Familiarity with NASA‑STD‑5017 mechanism requirements, including torque and force margin practice.
• Familiarity with NASA verification standards, including NASA‑STD‑5020 and the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS), and/or SMC‑S‑016.
• Proficiency with Onshape (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo also valued).
• Experience with industry‑standard FEA tools (e.g., Nastran/Femap, ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for analysis and data processing.
• Experience with design lifecycle and configuration management systems.
• Hands‑on R&D background, including prototyping, testing, and iterating on novel mechanical concepts.
• Experience in a startup or fast‑iteration hardware environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Engineer: $110,000 to $140,000

Senior Engineer: $140,000 to $170,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑based basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives in the form of stock options. You will receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, short‑and‑long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. You may also receive 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Rendezvous Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.