Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Docking, Capture, and Mating Systems)

Rendezvous Robotics•Golden, CO

21d•Onsite

About The Position

Rendezvous Robotics is developing a revolutionary solution for in-space assembly of spacecraft using electromagnetic self-assembling tiles, enabling larger and more powerful satellites than currently possible. We are seeking a Mid to Senior Level Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and testing of critical docking, capture, and mating systems. This role is essential for enabling the in-space assembly of our self-assembling satellites, taking flight hardware from concept through qualification, production, and on-orbit operation. The hardware designed will be for repeated operation between free-flying spacecraft, similar to systems used in rendezvous, servicing, and robotic assembly missions. You will be responsible for key components like the docking latch and mating electrical interface, alignment budgets, life and wear testing, and structural analysis. Collaboration with various engineering disciplines (GNC, systems, electrical, avionics, software, manufacturing, test) and external suppliers will be a key aspect of this full-time, on-site position in Golden, Colorado.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
4+ years of spacecraft or satellite mechanism design experience.
Demonstrated experience designing spaceflight hardware that has flown or completed flight qualification.
Mechanism design experience with repeated contact and cyclic operation, such as latches, docking, capture, mating interfaces, or retention and release mechanisms.
Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis and tolerance allocation across mechanical interfaces.
Experience designing connector or contact interfaces where mate reliability was a driving requirement.
Hands-on mechanism development, assembly, and test experience.
Proficiency with structural finite element analysis (FEA) for modal, quasi-static, and random vibration analysis.
Strong command of 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerance stack-ups, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
Solid understanding of spaceflight materials, hardware, and fabrication techniques.
Strong ability to communicate across engineering disciplines to make program-critical decisions.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Experience with on-orbit servicing, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), docking, robotic interfaces, or in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) vehicles, including docking mechanisms, capture systems, or servicer-to-client structural interfaces.
Familiarity with vacuum tribology and contact wear, including material and coating selection for repeated mating.
Experience planning and executing life and accelerated wear tests.
Experience with statistical tolerance analysis, including Monte Carlo and RSS.
Experience designing load paths into sandwich panel edges or thin-wall enclosures.
Familiarity with compliant and precision mounting approaches, including flexures, floating mounts, gimbals, and fine pointing mechanisms.
Familiarity with NASA-STD-5017 mechanism requirements, including torque and force margin practice.
Familiarity with NASA verification standards, including NASA-STD-5020 and the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS), and/or SMC-S-016.
Proficiency with Onshape (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo also valued).
Experience with industry-standard FEA tools (e.g., Nastran/Femap, ANSYS, Abaqus).
Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for analysis and data processing.
Experience with design lifecycle and configuration management systems.
Hands-on R&D background, including prototyping, testing, and iterating on novel mechanical concepts.
Experience in a startup or fast-iteration hardware environment.

Responsibilities

Own docking latch design, including capture envelope, misalignment tolerance, latch preload, and structural performance of the mated joint.
Own the mating electrical interface, including blind-mate connector design or selection, mounting, mate and de-mate forces, contact wear, cycle life, and scoop-proofing.
Own the alignment budget, allocating tolerance across approach conditions, manufacturing tolerances, and mechanism compliance.
Own the load path from the docking interface into primary structure.
Analyze differential thermal expansion and load transfer across the mated joint.
Design for contamination, debris, and wear tolerance at mating interfaces.
Perform structural analysis of the mechanism and the mated joint, including modal, quasi-static, and random vibration.
Develop test plans and support life, wear, vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns, including cycle counts, accelerated test methods, and instrumentation.
Select materials, coatings, and lubricants for repeated mating in vacuum.
Engage suppliers, support fabrication processes, and produce and check detailed drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).