Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Launch Restraint and Release Systems)

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

Job summary

Rendezvous Robotics, based in Golden, Colorado, seeks a Mid to Senior Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to own design, analysis, and testing of launch restraint and release systems. You will work with systems, electrical, avionics, software, manufacturing, and suppliers, taking hardware from concept through qualification and on‑orbit operation in a full‑time, on‑site role in the Denver metro area.

The role requires 4+ years of spacecraft mechanism design experience, proficiency in FEA, 3D CAD, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; advanced degree is a plus.
• 4+ years of spacecraft or satellite mechanism design experience.
• Experience designing spaceflight hardware that has flown, including at least one deployment, launch restraint, or release mechanism.
• Preloaded joint design experience, including torque and preload relationships and margin.
• Hands-on deployment, vibration, and shock testing experience.
• Proficiency with structural finite element analysis (FEA) for modal, quasi-static, and random vibration.

Responsibilities

• Own design, analysis, and testing of launch restraint and release systems.
• Select and integrate NEAs and release devices, and qualify them as installed.
• Design deployment and release mechanisms, including kinematics and energy management.
• Own tile deployment from the stowed stack and its interface to the bus structure.
• Perform load-path analysis from stowed stack into bus structure.
• Characterize shock environments from release devices.
• Develop test plans for deployment, vibration, shock, and TVAC testing.
• Produce drawings with GD&T and support suppliers.

Skills

Spacecraft mechanism design

FEA (modal, quasi-static, random)

3D CAD (ASME Y14.5)

GD&T

Python or MATLAB

Launch vehicle interface knowledge

Prototyping and testing

Cross-functional communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

MS or PhD desirable

Tools

Onshape

FEM tools (Ansys/Nastran etc)

Job description

Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Launch Restraint and Release 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 satellite launch restraint and release systems, tile deployment from the stowed stack, and the load path from that stack into the bus, taking flight hardware from concept through qualification, production, and on-orbit operation. You will own preloaded joint design, release device selection and integration, deployment and separation behavior, the interface to the launch vehicle separation system, and the structural analysis that supports them. You will partner with 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 launch restraint and release system design, including hold‑down and release mechanisms (HDRMs), preload paths, hard point design, and preload retention through the launch environment.
• Select and integrate vendor‑qualified non‑explosive actuators (NEAs) and release devices, and qualify them as installed.
• Design deployment and release mechanisms, including kinematics, energy management, and end of travel behavior.
• Own tile deployment from the stowed stack, including separation energy.
• Own the load path from the stowed tile stack and its deployment mechanisms into bus primary structure.
• Characterize shock environments generated by release devices, including levels at mounted electronics.
• Perform structural analysis of stowed and deployed configurations, including modal, quasi‑static, and random vibration.
• Develop torque and force margin analysis to a recognized standard.
• Develop test plans and support deployment, vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns, including gravity offload and instrumentation.
• 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, including at least one deployment, launch restraint, or release mechanism.
• Preloaded joint design experience, including torque and preload relationships, preload retention, and margin against a recognized standard such as NASA-STD-5020.
• Hands‑on deployment, vibration, and shock testing experience.
• Proficiency with structural finite element analysis (FEA) for modal, quasi‑static, and random vibration analysis of stowed and deployed configurations.
• Experience modeling complex and preloaded joints.
• Working knowledge of launch and on‑orbit load environments, factors of safety, and margin of safety reporting.
• Strong command of 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerance stack‑ups, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Solid understanding of spaceflight materials, hardware, fabrication techniques, and design for manufacturability.
• Strong ability to communicate across engineering disciplines to make program‑critical decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience delivering separation systems, deployables, release mechanisms, precision mechanisms, or other moving mechanical assemblies to flight.
• Experience owning spacecraft primary structure at the bus level, including launch vehicle interface hardware and rideshare accommodation.
• Experience with stacked or multi‑body stowed configurations.
• Experience designing preloaded joints into sandwich panel structure, including potted inserts, hard points, and compression tubes.
• Experience with bonded joint design and analysis.
• Experience characterizing NEA‑induced shock, including shock response spectrum analysis.
• Experience applying torque and force margin methodology per NASA-STD-5017, NASA-STD-5020, or equivalents.
• Experience designing gravity offload rigs.
• Familiarity with vacuum tribology, including lubricants, dry film coatings, galling, and cold welding.
• Familiarity with vibration test notching and force limiting.
• Familiarity with NASA verification standards, including the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS), and/or SMC‑S‑016.
• Proficiency with Onshape (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo also valued).
• Proficiency with industry‑standard FEA tools (e.g., Nastran/Femap, ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for analysis and data processing.
• 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‑by‑case 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.