Space Systems Mechanical Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Do you want to design and build unique space structures and spacecraft for NASA missions that enable groundbreaking scientific discovery throughout the solar system and beyond? Are you passionate about strengthening our nation's security by developing advanced space systems that support critical defense missions? Do you enjoy working in a highly collaborative environment with engineers from multiple disciplines to solve complex technical challenges and deliver flight hardware? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to take on new challenges as part of our team leading the design, development, integration, and delivery of spaceflight hardware for both civil space exploration and national security missions. You will work alongside systems, mechanical, structural, thermal, and manufacturing engineers. Together, we design, analyze, build, integrate, test, and deliver high-performance spaceflight structures that operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Our work spans the complete program lifecycle—from concept development and proposal efforts through design, fabrication, environmental qualification, integration, launch support, and on-orbit operations. Our programs support NASA's science portfolio, including missions such as Parker Solar Probe, DART, Europa Clipper, Dragonfly, and future flagship missions, while also advancing innovative technologies and operational capabilities for Department of War and other national security space missions.

Requirements

Possess a BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
Have 5+ years of experience leading space mission projects
Have demonstrated the ability to lead a major flight subsystem through concept, design, analysis, test, and integration.
Have experience in managing schedules, executing those plans, reporting deficiencies and accomplishment along the way
Have experience working technical hardware development across multiple organizations
Demonstrate you work well as a member and leader of a team with good communication and interpersonal skills.
Are willing and able to travel to suppliers and sponsors, present materials at design reviews and work a variable schedule during limited times of environmental testing.
Are able to obtain a Secret, level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtainTop Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Have a MS or PHD in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
Have a demonstrated and significant experience in bringing together flight systems through design, development, integration and test phases, and into the launch campaign
Have completed several aerospace projects from start to finish as Lead Mechanical Systems Engineer
Have an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Be responsible for the capability and consistency of the mechanical systems across the mission ensuring that the teams developing these systems meet mission requirements and needs.
Be intimately involved in the integration and organization of the teams across the flight systems, including mechanical and thermal systems, system engineering, electrical systems and other technical discipline areas.
Manage the development of interfaces and influence schedules and budgets, and provide mechanical system engineering technical oversight of all hardware element systems.
Be responsible for the mass budgets across all elements of the systems in a challenging and dynamic environment.
Provide inputs to program level risks and mitigations, manage communications and data flows across the organizations and have an impact on launch, cruise and flight operations conducted on Titan, the moon of Saturn.
Understand that this position requires a successful track record of space flight hardware development experience, integration and testing experience and this key leadership position requires an on campus presence in a highly collaborative environment.