Mechanical Engineer - Optical, Satellites (Starlink)
About The Position
Mechanical engineers on the Optical Team own the end-to-end design of hardware that provide high-bandwidth connectivity and state of the art imagery for our satellites. This includes next-generation Starlink long-range Space Lasers for inner-satellite links to the Moon and (eventually) Mars; Advanced imaging payloads for attitude determination and space-safety surveillance, as well as Space-to-ground laser communication technology. As a Mechanical Engineer you will own the structural, actuator, and electro-mechanical design of hardware such as: precision pointing mechanisms, launch-lock and deployment hardware, chassis and load paths, and the packaging of electronics into flight assemblies. You will take hardware from first sketch through analysis, prototype, environmental test, production, and on-orbit operation. Successful candidates are equally comfortable in CAD as well as being hands on in the test lab or on the factory floor.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience with CAD and mechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internships/co-ops, research, and project experience is applicable)
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline
- 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design of mechanisms, structures, or electro-mechanical systems
- Experience designing precision actuators, gimbals, flexures, or motion-control mechanisms
- Demonstrated structural analysis of complex assemblies (stiffness, modal, random vibration, shock, and/or thermoelastic)
- Experience integrating electronics into mechanical assemblies (PCBA mechanical design, packaging, connectors, harnessing)
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and solid application of GD&T
- Experience with structural analysis or finite element analysis (FEA) software
- Experience taking a component or assembly from initial design through production ramp
- Hands-on experience building, instrumenting, and testing hardware
- Knowledge of materials, machining, sheet metal, additive, and/or casting processes for mechanical assemblies
- Experience with design of experiments, instrumentation, and data acquisition
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated sense of ownership
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry — and a track record of building things because you want to
Responsibilities
- Own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from conceptual design through production and on-orbit operation
- Design precision mechanisms and actuators — gimbals, fast-steering stages, flexures, launch locks, and related kinematics — that meet pointing, stiffness, mass, and reliability requirements
- Develop structural designs and load paths for laser terminals or imaging payloads; perform and interpret structural analysis (static, modal, random vibration, shock) to close the design
- Integrate electronics into flight hardware: PCBA packaging, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, connectors, and electro-mechanical assemblies
- Rapidly iterate on design and analysis to inform system-level trades across mass, stiffness, pointing, cost, and manufacturability
- Drive design for manufacturability and assembly for both high-volume Starlink terminals and lower-rate, higher-performance deep-space and imaging hardware
- Create CAD models and drawings with appropriate GD&T; release designs into production and support the factory through ramp
- Define and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including environmental test (vibe, shock, TVAC)
- Lead root-cause investigations on mechanical, electro-mechanical, and production issues and implement corrective actions
- Partner with optical, electrical, thermal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to deliver an integrated product
- Own delivery timeline through conception, design, build, test, and launch
Benefits
- company stock
- long-term cash awards
- discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- short and long-term disability insurance
- life insurance
- paid parental leave
- various other discounts and perks
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 or more paid holidays per year
- paid sick time (in Washington State)
- Company shuttles
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
