Sr. Mechanical Integration Engineer - Space Technologies

SpaceNews; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceNews in Albuquerque, NM seeks a mid-career Mechanical Integration Engineer to design, draft and assemble space hardware for diverse R&D programs and small-volume production contracts.

Responsibilities include DFM, process integration, tooling design, quality control, and troubleshooting, with collaboration across product designers, supply chain vendors, and operators. Requires a PE in space hardware domain and hands-on assembly experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering required.
• 2+ years in design, integration or test of space hardware or related fields.
• Proficiency with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of GD&T, materials properties, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with space hardware design, integration, and test.
• Strong technical writing for engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM): refine mechanical designs and 3D CAD models for mass production.
• Process Integration: optimize assembly lines and production cell layouts to maximize throughput.
• Tooling & Equipment: design jigs, fixtures, and tooling for new product launches.
• Quality Control: establish testing protocols and analyze tolerances; apply PFMEA.

Skills

Strong technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean manufacturing knowledge

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

GD&T

CNC machining

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a mid-career Mechanical Integration Engineer to provide engineering design, drafting and assembly support to diverse R&D programs and small-volume production contracts. Projects vary from packaging high reliability electronics subsystems to opto-mechanical mechanism design such as gimbal and steering mirror systems.

Worker Type

Regular

Position Responsibilities

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Modify or refine mechanical designs and 3D CAD models to ensure they can be efficiently mass-produced
• Process Integration: Determine the optimal arrangement of assembly lines and production cells to maximize throughput and minimize waste
• Tooling & Equipment: Design custom jigs, fixtures, and mechanical tooling to support new product launches and line setups
• Quality Control: Establish testing protocols, analyze mechanical tolerances, and use methods like PFMEA to prevent defects
• Troubleshooting & Optimization: Perform root-cause analysis on equipment breakdowns or production bottlenecks, and apply Lean or Six Sigma principles to resolve them.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the technical liaison between product designers, supply chain vendors, and assembly line operators.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace engineering
• 2+ years' experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Software Proficiency: design using CAD software, ideally experience with SolidWorks
• Technical Knowledge: Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing GD&T, various material properties, and manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC, machining).
• Space hardware design, integration, and test
• Strong technical writing skills applicable to engineering documentation (analysis reports, specifications, requirements documents, etc.).
• Process Methodologies: Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• 5-8 years' experience in mechanical engineering of space systems
• Strong verbal communication skills needed for customer interaction at design reviews, supplier interaction, etc.
• Ability to quickly adapt to various projects and types of work and to work several projects simultaneously while managing time and priorities
• Ability to work independently or as part of a development team
• Experience and willingness to be hands on during hardware assembly, integration, and test
• Current US security clearance

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant). Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent).