Spacecraft Mechanical Design DMU & Mass Properties Engineer

AST SpaceMobile • Midland, TX

17d

About The Position

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. Position Overview We are seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Design DMU & Mass Properties Engineer to support satellite mechanical/structural and payload development across both non-recurring engineering (NRE) and recurring programs. This role involves systems engineering, mechanical design, CAD assembly development, mass properties tracking, interface definition, analysis support, assembly support, and testing support. The ideal candidate is innovative, collaborative, and capable of leading small teams while working independently.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience: A minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft mechanical/structural design.
• Demonstrated experience with CAD large assembly management and optimization.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead small teams.
• Meticulous attention to detail for accurate documentation and design compliance.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• CAD tools: Autodesk Inventor (required), CATIA, SolidWorks, CREO (preferred).
• Mass properties tracking tools and database management.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional hands-on work in assembly or testing environments

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in design-for-manufacturability for satellite assemblies.
• Familiarity with launch and on-orbit environmental requirements.
• Experience supporting procurement and production processes for aerospace hardware.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage full spacecraft CAD assemblies, including skeleton models, subsystem interfaces, and flight hardware.
• Develop and maintain mass properties databases for all satellite and launch configurations.
• Implement CAD-based controls to validate mass properties tracking.
• Develop and maintain interface control drawings (ICDs), detailed manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, and Bills of Material (BOM).
• Perform mechanical/structural subsystem and payload trade studies to optimize system architecture for performance, mass, cost, and manufacturability.
• Support preparation of preliminary and detailed mechanical designs.
• Provide technical support to procurement, production, assembly, and testing for spacecraft structures and hardware.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical and structural designs into the spacecraft system.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees