Spacecraft Structures & Layout Engineer II

Katalyst Space Technologies; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Relocation bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Katalyst Space Technologies is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to lead spacecraft and payload mechanical layouts from concept through flight, balancing packaging, mass properties, interfaces, and manufacturability in a fast-paced space environment.

You will develop CAD assemblies, perform hand calculations and FEA, and drive design decisions with rigorous documentation. A Bachelor’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and 3–4 years of relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3–4 years of experience in designing, packaging, analyzing, and releasing mechanical hardware for spacecraft or related high-reliability systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD for complex assemblies and top-level layouts; knowledge of interface definitions and drawing release.
• Strong fundamentals in statics, dynamics, materials, load paths, vibration, and thermal effects.

Responsibilities

• Support spacecraft and payload mechanical layout from concept through flight, balancing packaging, mass properties, interfaces, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Develop and maintain top-level CAD assemblies, vehicle envelopes, coordinate systems, keep-out zones, and interface geometry.
• Design primary and secondary spacecraft structures, brackets, panels, decks, mounts, and mechanical interfaces with sound load-path and fatigue considerations.
• Perform hand calculations and FEA for static, modal, vibration, and shock environments; correlate models with test data.
• Drive spacecraft packaging trades across subsystems and resolve integration constraints.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to support prototype and flight builds and ensure components are producible and serviceable.
• Contribute to design reviews, FMEA, mass-property tracking, and flight-readiness documentation.

Skills

3D CAD fundamentals

Structural analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

DFM/DFA mindset

Extended hours flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

3D CAD software

FEA software (e.g., ANSYS)

Job description

Katalyst Space Technologies is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to lead spacecraft and payload mechanical layouts from concept through flight, balancing packaging, mass properties, interfaces, and manufacturability in a fast-paced space environment.

You will develop CAD assemblies, perform hand calculations and FEA, and drive design decisions with rigorous documentation. A Bachelor’s in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and 3–4 years of relevant experience are required.