Mechanical Ground Support Equipment Engineer

Planet•San Francisco, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

At Planet, we launch spacecrafts early and often. From technology demonstrators to operational constellations, exceptional engineers are needed to design, manufacture, test and launch spacecrafts. As a Mechanical GSE engineer, you will join a small team of dedicated engineers playing a key role in the advent of several platforms. Focused on the upbringing of our payloads and buses, you will work closely with our qualification engineers and our electro-optics engineers in developing their Ground Support Equipment, from design and analysis to assembly and test. You will also have opportunities to lead derisk activities related to environmental and mechanical stress. The ideal candidate has a technical understanding of mechanical and optical basic principles applied to aerospace, is curious and creative and wants to be involved with hardware and problems solving. To be successful in this role, the candidate should enjoy hands-on work, thrive in ambiguity, and be able to lead their own projects into completion. Coming from a fast paced, aerospace environment, having completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key teams, will be a plus. This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco office 5 days per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Opto-mechanics Engineering or Electro-Mechanics/Robotics Engineering.
4+ years of relevant work experience.
Creation of successful Ground Support Equipment (GSE) or related structural designs.
Understanding of mechanical engineering first principles and practical application of theoretical methods.
Ability to solve complex problems related to modeling, analysis, and verification.
Familiarity with best practices for designing robust mechanical solutions as well as notions of designing for manufacturing using Solidworks CAD or equivalent. Proficiency in creating engineering drawings and GD&T.
Proficiency in structural static stress analysis for multi-body systems, including modal analysis. Familiarity with FEA software, like Solidworks Simulation, Ansys or equivalent.
Understanding of material properties, force definitions, boundary conditions, mesh analysis, and FEA verification techniques.
Data analysis skills for evaluating system performance and identifying anomalies.
Proficiency in developing test procedures, as well as general manufacturing workflows.
Interest in prototyping, rapid iteration and agile processes. Knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining and assembly practices.
Ability to be hands-on, bringing your projects all the way to assembly and test.
Occasional travel should be expected as part of testing and integration operations.

Nice To Haves

Basic knowledge of optics, optical instruments, and interferometry, with experience in designing tooling, jigs, fixtures, and kinematic mounts for optical assemblies.
Ability to take on challenges beyond one’s field of expertise or comfort zone.
Experience in working in a machine shop.
Experience in environmental test qualification and environmental derisk activities, running and managing test projects involving Instron, vibration shakers, thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, shock machine, etc.

Responsibilities

Design and validate test fixtures and Ground Support Equipment (GSE):
Understand needs and requirements for satellite sub-systems, especially optical payloads.
Create, develop and test innovative mechanical solutions and testing methods.
Use 3D CAD software to model test fixtures and GSE equipment. Run structural FEA. Populate 2D drawings GD&T compliant.
Supervise and assist with procurement, machining, assembly and proofloading operations.
Perform hands-on operations like GSE and instrumentation setup, etc.
Implement continuous improvement and process development:
Own GSE design through its lifetime to support failures identification, anomalies, root causes investigations, and drive issues to resolution.
Assist in analyzing and reviewing data using numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results and ensure that the hardware operates as expected. Identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.
Document and develop communication:
Keep detailed notes of tests, specimens and anomalies. Report test results, providing recommendations for design modifications or improvements.
Produce design documentation to communicate design intent, usability, operations, and maintenance of new products to internal customers.