Engineer Principal – Spacecraft Mechanical Design

BAE Systems•Boulder, CO

2d•$118,095 - $200,762•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Engineer leads the mechanical effort for new spacecraft and spacecraft buses in unclassified and classified environments, from proposal and award through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and requirement verification. The role defines, maintains, iterates, and verifies mechanical requirements and interfaces, and develops and releases spacecraft configurations, primary and secondary structures, and mechanism architectures that meet system and subsystem requirements. Early in proposal and program startup, the engineer works in CAD and performs simple hand structural-analysis calculations. The role then transitions to leading design and analysis engineers, and later teams of design, analysis, test, and manufacturing engineers. The engineer communicates with internal and external customers, coordinates with spacecraft subsystems and external parties, and leads resolution of complex technical issues. The position also mentors junior engineers and partners with leadership to evolve the department and its capabilities and technology roadmaps. This is an on-site position requiring in-person work five days each normally scheduled week at the primary work location. Travel and commuting between company campuses and other locations may be required. Work may take place in an office, laboratory, production floor, cleanroom, outdoors, or a remote research environment. Occasional work in production centers may require protective equipment, and other facilities may be accessed in varying weather conditions. A security clearance or polygraph access is not required to be eligible, but the applicant must be willing and eligible to pursue and maintain applicable access if required after accepting an offer.

Requirements

BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field, plus at least 6 years of related experience. A higher-level degree may substitute for two years of experience per degree level; related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Any degree must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or U.S. Department of Education.
Experience in spacecraft, aerospace instrument, structure, mechanism, sensor, and/or rotating machinery design.
Experience using CAD software.
Demonstrated creativity in mechanical engineering design.
Demonstrated design analysis capability.
Demonstrated technical leadership and program acumen, including leading cross-functional teams through program phases, balancing technical, schedule, and cost priorities, and making risk-based decisions.
Prior participation in written and/or oral proposal activities for civil and/or military customers.
Must be willing and eligible to be submitted for applicable security clearance or access, depending on program requirements, after accepting an offer, and able to maintain it.

Nice To Haves

SolidWorks proficiency or equivalent CAD software.

Responsibilities

Lead the mechanical effort for new spacecraft and spacecraft buses from proposal and award through detailed design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and requirement verification.
Define, maintain, iterate, and verify mechanical requirements needed to meet system and subsystem requirements and interfaces.
Generate, iterate, maintain, and release spacecraft configurations, primary and secondary structure designs, and mechanism architectures.
Use CAD and perform simple hand structural-analysis calculations during proposal and initial program startup.
Lead teams of design and analysis engineers, and later teams of design, analysis, test, and manufacturing engineers responsible for fabrication, assembly, and test.
Communicate with internal and external customers and lead resolution of complex technical issues.
Coordinate with spacecraft subsystems and external interfaces, including customers, customer consultants, payload providers, and launch vehicle providers.
Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships across the department, business units, capabilities units, and company, contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
Mentor junior engineers.
Partner with leadership to evolve the department and enhance capabilities and technology roadmaps.
Perform other duties as necessary.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance for regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.
Health savings accounts.
401(k) savings plan.
Disability coverage.
Life and accident insurance.
Employee assistance program.
Legal plan.
Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
Paid time off and paid holidays.
Paid parental, military, and bereavement leave, plus applicable federal and state sick leave.
Company recognition program with monetary or non-monetary awards.
Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.