Senior Mechanical Engineer, Mechanisms

Northwood Space•Los Angeles, CA

4h•$118,000 - $162,000

About The Position

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it. Northwood is seeking a talented and motivated Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, testing, and production of mechanisms for precision actuation of RF and antenna structures. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including RF engineers, antenna designers, electrical engineers, and manufacturing teams, to ensure the seamless integration of mechanisms with antenna systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
3+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing actuation systems.
5+ years of experience using CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
Experience with thermal and mechanical simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS).
Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, including kinematics, materials selection, and structural analysis.
Ownership of at least one precision actuation system from clean sheet to production.
This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of manufacturing processes, such as machining, welding, coating, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.
Basic understanding of electrical systems and components to ensure a holistic approach to system design
Basic understanding of RF systems and devices.

Responsibilities

Design and develop antenna actuators to meet product design requirements.
Develop design criteria working with RF, software, and network engineers.
Perform kinematic analysis, stress and strain calculations, and fatigue analysis to ensure the mechanical systems can endure the loads and environmental conditions they will face.
Optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, and cost, ensuring smooth integration with the RF and antenna design requirements.
Plan and conduct testing of mechanisms, including performance validation, RF system validation, and mechanical stress testing. Ensure all designs meet required standards for both mechanical reliability and RF system performance. Validate motor and actuator integration in real-world scenarios.
Develop tooling for the fabrication, assembly, and testing of mechanisms used in antenna systems. Provide production support by troubleshooting issues related to mechanisms, and ensure smooth assembly processes for large-scale antenna deployment.
Prepare detailed design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and test plans, ensuring compliance with industry standards for both mechanical and RF systems. Ensure that all designs meet safety standards and regulatory requirements for antenna and RF system integration.