Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer (Starship Components)

United States Digital Space LLC; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Hawthorne, California is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to develop cutting-edge spacecraft components for the Starship program. The role involves significant interaction with manufacturing and testing teams, ensuring the manufacturability and reliability of design solutions.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of mechanical engineering experience, a Bachelor's degree, and a passion for space technology. This position offers a competitive salary range and comprehensive benefits, fostering innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical design and hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Proven ability to design and analyze mechanical systems effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturable flow control devices and mechanisms.
• Partner with teams to achieve high component build rates.
• Generate and maintain detailed drawings and specifications.
• Lead investigations of failures and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain rigorous design and qualification testing standards.

Skills

Mechanical design

Manufacturing experience

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics or engineering

Tools

Test instrumentation

Job description

the company was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIP COMPONENTS)

The Propulsion Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our engineers serve as hardware experts for the flow and position control devices that drive the critical capabilities on the Starship/Super Heavy Vehicle- from regulators and butterfly valves to flap actuators. We design, develop and characterize components for simplicity, manufacturability and reliability in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 800 K, and pressures beyond 800 bar. As a Propulsion Components Engineer at the company, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. You will own the relationship between our vehicle hardware/systems teams and manufacturing teams while spearheading your own projects, utilizing your skills in analysis, development testing, and mechanical design. You will provide input into vehicle architecture trades and take a lead role in design and flight readiness on Starship, the vehicle that will make humanity multi-planetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable flow control devices (valves, regulators, solenoids) and mechanisms (flap/fin/payload door actuators) across Starship and Super Heavy stage systems. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries
• Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve the company’s highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month
• Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments
• Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures
• Set the standard for rigorous component design and qualification testing, increasing scrutiny as the vehicle matures in pursuit of commercial and crewed orbital missions
• Target zero in-flight anomalies of propulsion components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments
• Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage/component teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of mechanical design/hands‑on manufacturing experience (internships and project teams qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes
• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both
• Master's degree or 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering
• Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems
• Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams
• Hands‑on experience with fluid, gas, or high voltage systems
• Leadership experience on a project or research team
• Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.)
• Knowledge of electro‑mechanical devices, gear trains, actuators, motors, valves, regulators, or other fluid and position control devices
• Understanding of fundamental principals in fluid systems and solid mechanics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel to vendors and other the company sites as needed
• Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range: Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year. 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. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at the company. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR requirements.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].