Mechanical Engineer - Lasercom

Observable Space • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $120,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Observable Space is hiring a Mechanical Engineer to design and build mechanical hardware for laser communications terminals, including optical ground stations and space-based systems. The role involves taking hardware from initial sketches to bench prototypes in weeks, then building, testing, and delivering flight hardware on timelines measured in months. The engineer will own mechanical assemblies and collaborate with optics, electrical, controls, and manufacturing engineers to build, align, and test them.

The work spans mechanical design, analysis, documentation, supplier and manufacturing coordination, prototype development, and environmental testing. The engineer will help mature precision hardware through rapid iteration and prepare it for repeatable production and its intended deployment environment.

Requirements

• At least 3 years designing mechanical hardware in aerospace, optics, robotics, precision equipment, or a related industry.
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD such as SolidWorks.
• Experience applying geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance stack-up analysis to production drawings and mechanical interfaces.
• Working knowledge of structural and thermal analysis and design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Hands-on experience building, testing, and troubleshooting mechanical assemblies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with free-space optical terminals, pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, or fine-pointing hardware such as fast steering mirrors.
• Experience with precision optical mounts, alignment tooling, or structural, thermal, and optical performance (STOP) analysis.
• Experience qualifying hardware for spaceflight or rugged outdoor environments.
• Experience taking precision hardware from prototype builds into repeatable production; the final preferred-qualification statement is incomplete in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Design terminal hardware such as optical benches, telescope structures, mounts, enclosures, and electronics packaging.
• Work with optics and systems engineers to define mechanical interfaces, alignment tolerances, and stiffness and thermal stability requirements; evaluate designs using hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Create production drawings, bills of materials, and interface documentation.
• Work with shops and suppliers to make parts easy to manufacture, assemble, and align.
• Build, align, and troubleshoot prototypes with technicians through rapid design iterations.
• Design fixtures and write procedures for repeatable assembly and testing.
• Plan and support environmental tests for the intended deployment, such as vibration, shock, or thermal vacuum testing.
• Use test results to improve hardware and prepare it for production.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and experience.
• Stock options.
• Flexible work environment, with office or hybrid work options; the Los Angeles office requires at least 3 days per week onsite.
• Unlimited PTO for salaried positions, including paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% of employee premiums paid by the employer.
• Access to cutting-edge hardware and software tools.
• Mission-driven culture and work on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.
• Supportive and diverse workplace.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level