Staff Mechanical Engineer – Spacecraft Propulsion Systems

Astra; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and manufacturability of next-generation Hall-effect thrusters for spacecraft propulsion. The role requires deep expertise in mechanical design, and a proven ability to drive design-for-manufacture principles. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience, proficiency in CAD and analysis tools, and a relevant degree. The expected salary range is between $150,000 and $185,000 annually, reflecting the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design of aerospace hardware.
• Expertise in structural, thermal, and materials considerations for spaceflight.
• Experience with qualification testing for flight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop structural and thermal design of thruster components.
• Drive DFM/DFA practices across thruster hardware.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain partners.

Skills

Mechanical design for extreme environments

Design-for-manufacture (DFM)

Design-for-assembly (DFA)

Proficiency with CAD tools

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

Job description

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and manufacturability of next-generation Hall-effect thrusters for spacecraft propulsion. The role requires deep expertise in mechanical design, and a proven ability to drive design-for-manufacture principles. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience, proficiency in CAD and analysis tools, and a relevant degree. The expected salary range is between $150,000 and $185,000 annually, reflecting the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area.