Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Launch Restraint and Release Systems)

Rendezvous Robotics•Golden, CO

22d•$110,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rendezvous Robotics is seeking a Mid to Senior Level Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and testing of critical satellite systems. This role focuses on launch restraint and release mechanisms, the deployment of self-assembling tiles from a stowed configuration, and the structural load path from the tile stack into the spacecraft bus. The engineer will guide flight hardware through its entire lifecycle, from initial concept and qualification to production and on-orbit operation. Key responsibilities include designing preloaded joints, selecting and integrating release devices, analyzing deployment and separation dynamics, and managing the interface with launch vehicle separation systems. This is a full-time, on-site position located in Golden, Colorado, within the Denver metro area. The engineer will collaborate closely with various teams including systems, electrical, avionics, software, manufacturing, test, and external suppliers.

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, including at least one deployment, launch restraint, or release mechanism.
Preloaded joint design experience, including torque and preload relationships, preload retention, and margin against a recognized standard such as NASA-STD-5020.
Hands-on deployment, vibration, and shock testing experience.
Proficiency with structural finite element analysis (FEA) for modal, quasi-static, and random vibration analysis of stowed and deployed configurations.
Experience modeling complex and preloaded joints.
Working knowledge of launch and on-orbit load environments, factors of safety, and margin of safety reporting.
Strong command of 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerance stack-ups, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
Solid understanding of spaceflight materials, hardware, fabrication techniques, and design for manufacturability.
Strong ability to communicate across engineering disciplines to make program-critical decisions.

Nice To Haves

Experience delivering separation systems, deployables, release mechanisms, precision mechanisms, or other moving mechanical assemblies to flight.
Experience owning spacecraft primary structure at the bus level, including launch vehicle interface hardware and rideshare accommodation.
Experience with stacked or multi-body stowed configurations.
Experience designing preloaded joints into sandwich panel structure, including potted inserts, hard points, and compression tubes.
Experience with bonded joint design and analysis.
Experience characterizing NEA-induced shock, including shock response spectrum analysis.
Experience applying torque and force margin methodology per NASA-STD-5017, NASA-STD-5020, or equivalents.
Experience designing gravity offload rigs.
Familiarity with vacuum tribology, including lubricants, dry film coatings, galling, and cold welding.
Familiarity with vibration test notching and force limiting.
Familiarity with NASA verification standards, including the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS), and/or SMC-S-016.
Proficiency with Onshape (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo also valued).
Proficiency with industry-standard FEA tools (e.g., Nastran/Femap, ANSYS, Abaqus).
Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for analysis and data processing.
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 launch restraint and release system design, including hold-down and release mechanisms (HDRMs), preload paths, hard point design, and preload retention through the launch environment.
Select and integrate vendor-qualified non-explosive actuators (NEAs) and release devices, and qualify them as installed.
Design deployment and release mechanisms, including kinematics, energy management, and end of travel behavior.
Own tile deployment from the stowed stack, including separation energy.
Own the load path from the stowed tile stack and its deployment mechanisms into bus primary structure.
Characterize shock environments generated by release devices, including levels at mounted electronics.
Perform structural analysis of stowed and deployed configurations, including modal, quasi-static, and random vibration.
Develop torque and force margin analysis to a recognized standard.
Develop test plans and support deployment, vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns, including gravity offload and instrumentation.
Engage suppliers, support fabrication processes, and produce and check detailed drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).