Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer

Umbra • Santa Barbara, CA

1d • $180,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated professional to become an integral part of our dynamic and multidisciplinary Space Systems engineering team as a Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineer. In this position, you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the design and development of innovative, next-generation space systems and mechanisms. The ideal candidate will possess a deep passion for designing, prototyping, building, and testing hardware, as well as demonstrable expertise in the area of rotating machinery. This position is based on-site in our Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA office.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical. Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10-15+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
• 5+ years of experience developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and ownership of spacecraft hardware through qualification and delivery.
• Strong multidisciplinary understanding of mechanisms and mechanical systems.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing and assembling parts using various methods and standards.
• Proficiency in CAD software, with experience in design and drafting to ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Expertise in first principles analysis, including hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently research, diagnose, and clearly explain technical challenges and solutions.

Nice To Haves

• 18+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with 10+ years of experience developing motor-driven mechanisms for spacecraft power or payload systems.
• A strong desire to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative team environment.
• Experience serving as the technical lead or responsible engineer for complex hardware development programs.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with thermal analysis.
• Experience interfacing with RF systems and associated EMI/EMC practices.
• Experience with closed loop motor-encoder automation in lab or on-orbit.
• Expertise in pointing, acquisition and tracking.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Familiarity with electronics assemblies and harnessing.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze spacecraft mechanisms, including: Serve as the technical lead for spacecraft mechanisms and pointing systems, driving architecture decisions, technical trades, and risk reduction activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to derive and refine requirements.
• Create motorization budgets.
• Perform detailed design and component selection for encoders and signal routing/cable management.
• Design for launch loads and stow/release behavior.
• Create pointing budgets accounting for on-orbit behaviors.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer and Systems Architects to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to mechanical engineers across the organization.
• Create detailed design documentation, including drawings, design guides, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Own the design through the full build and test lifecycle, including: Lead technical reviews, root-cause investigations, and resolution of complex hardware issues.
• Conduct Qualification campaigns.
• Develop test plans and equipment selection for verification of torque and torque margin and open loop and closed loop pointing performance.
• Verify as built performance over temperature and in the presence of base disturbance.
• Develop and execute work instructions, test plans, and test reports.
• Partner with technicians and manufacturing engineers to troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues.
• Provide mechanical engineering support to other engineering teams as needed.
• Occasionally support launch and test campaigns outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded).
• Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded).
• 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution.
• Stock Options.
• Free Parking.
• Free lunch in office daily.

What This Job Offers

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