Mechanical Engineer, Mechanisms

AstroForge•Seal Beach, CA

6h•$100,250 - $195,500•Onsite

About The Position

As a Mechanical Engineer specializing in mechanisms at AstroForge, you will design, analyze, build, and test critical spacecraft mechanisms that must operate reliably in the harsh environment of space. This role emphasizes hands-on ownership of mechanism designs, from concept through qualification and flight, including deployment systems, actuation mechanisms, and precision moving assemblies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
5–10 years of experience designing mechanical systems and mechanisms for spacecraft or aerospace applications.
Strong proficiency in CAD software (preferably NX).
Demonstrated expertise in GD&T and precision mechanical design (required).
Experience personally building, integrating, and testing mechanism hardware.
Strong understanding of mechanical fundamentals, including dynamics and kinematics.
Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft mechanisms such as solar array deployments, actuation systems, and gimbals.
Hands-on experience with FEA and structural analysis of mechanisms.
Experience performing dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.
Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for analysis, simulation, or test automation.
Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes for moving assemblies.
Experience taking spacecraft mechanisms from concept through flight.

Responsibilities

Design and develop spacecraft mechanisms, including deployment systems, actuation mechanisms, gimbals, and other precision moving assemblies.
Own mechanism designs end-to-end, from CAD and analysis through fabrication, integration, and testing.
Perform detailed mechanical analysis, including stress, fatigue, kinematics, and dynamics, to validate mechanism performance.
Conduct and support dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.
Plan, execute, and analyze mechanism tests; use test results to iterate and improve designs.
Apply GD&T and tolerance analysis to ensure proper function and reliability of moving interfaces.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, interfaces, and verification plans.
Support material selection and manufacturing process development for mechanism components.
Document designs, analyses, test results, and lessons learned with full traceability to requirements.