Mechatronics Engineer Launch Systems

SCEYE INC•Moriarty, NM

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Sceye develops high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) designed to operate at the stratosphere’s edge. Getting a HAPS safely and reliably from the ground to altitude starts with a flawless launch—and the launch system electronics are mission-critical. As Mechatronics Engineer for Launch Systems, you will own the electromechanical release interface that separates HAPS from the launch system at the right moment, under the right conditions, every time. You will rework and harden existing electronics, integrate new sensors and wireless systems, and build simulation tools to validate launch dynamics before hardware is ever at risk. Alongside this focused engineering work, you will participate directly in vehicle assembly for individual missions.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field.
3+ years of experience in electromechanical systems design, hardware bring-up, or embedded systems integration.
Hands-on PCB rework and electronics troubleshooting experience.
Experience integrating sensors (load cells, IMUs, encoders, or similar) into control or monitoring systems.
Familiarity with RF/wireless communication systems and link budget fundamentals.
Ability to read and produce electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with separation systems, pyrotechnic or electromechanical release mechanisms, or aerospace GSE.
Background in dynamics modeling or multibody simulation (MATLAB/Simulink, Adams, or similar).
Familiarity with DO-160 or MIL-STD environmental qualification testing.
Prior experience in a launch, range, or field operations environment.
Exposure to lighter-than-air, stratospheric, or HAPS vehicle programs a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the design and integration of the electrical-to-mechanical interface responsible for HAPS release from the launch system.
Define release actuation logic, fault detection, and inhibit/arm sequences to meet safety and reliability requirements.
Collaborate with structural and systems engineers to ensure interface loads, timing, and environmental conditions are correctly accounted for.
Audit current launch electronics and identify failure modes, single points of failure, and durability gaps.
Lead hardware rework efforts: PCB modifications, connector upgrades, harness improvements, and enclosure hardening for field conditions.
Establish qualification and acceptance test criteria for reworked assemblies; maintain revision-controlled hardware documentation.
Identify external data inputs needed to condition or gate the release event (e.g., load, position, wind, vehicle attitude).
Select, integrate, and validate sensors providing those inputs into the release electronics.
Develop signal processing and threshold logic to translate sensor data into reliable go/no-go release decisions.
Improve wireless command-and-control range and reliability for launch electronics.
Evaluate and implement radio frequency solutions appropriate for open-field launch operations.
Develop link budget analyses and conduct range testing under representative field conditions.
Build simulation models of launch motions and forces experienced by the HAPS during the release sequence.
Use simulation outputs to bound structural loads, validate release timing windows, and identify edge cases before live testing.
Update models as hardware evolves and validate against instrumented test data.
Participate in physical assembly of HAPS vehicles for individual missions alongside the broader assembly team.
Provide launch system expertise during integration to ensure compatibility between vehicle and launch interface hardware.