Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer: Launch Restraint & Deployment

Rendezvous Robotics

Denver (CO)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 170,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Paid parental leave

3 weeks vacation

Job summary

Rendezvous Robotics in Golden, Colorado is seeking a Mid to Senior Level Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to own design, analysis, and testing of satellite launch restraint and release systems. You will manage tile deployment, preload joints, and the load path into the bus, collaborating with systems, electrical, avionics, software, manufacturing, and suppliers.

This on-site, full-time role in the Denver metro area offers competitive compensation and stock options, with strong emphasis on

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 deployment, launch restraint, or release.
Preloaded joint design experience with torque and preload relationships, preload retention, and margin against a standard such as NASA-STD-5020.
Hands-on deployment, vibration, and shock testing experience.
Proficiency with structural FEA for modal, quasi-static, and random vibration analysis.
Strong 3D CAD and GD&T skills.

Responsibilities

Own launch restraint and release system design including 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 into bus primary structure.
Characterize shock environments generated by release devices, including levels at mounted electronics.
Perform structural analysis of stowed and deployed configurations (modal, quasi-static, random vib).
Develop torque and force margin analysis to recognized standards (NASA-STD-5017/5020).
Develop test plans and support deployment, vibration, shock, and TVAC campaigns.