Cowboy Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering for flight hardware in aerospace or defense programs
• Demonstrated experience as the technical lead or authority on the mechanical design of complex electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical flight hardware
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, Solidworks, or equivalent) and engineering drawing/GD&T
• Experience with structural analysis and thermal modeling tools
• Experience taking flight hardware through environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum)
• Strong understanding of materials, standards, and manufacturing processes for high-reliability flight hardware
• Experience managing direct reports or leading a technical team

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 8+ years of experience developing flight hardware for space or defense programs
• Experience with opto-mechanical design and alignment-sensitive structures
• Experience designing or qualifying mechanisms for space flight environments (motors, actuators, bearings, flexures)
• Familiarity with laser communications systems or free-space optical terminals
• Experience with deployable or articulating structures subject to launch loads
• Hands-on experience with flight hardware integration and alignment in a lab or cleanroom environment
• Prior experience as a technical lead or engineering manager on a flight program

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads, including opto-mechanical structures, pointing systems, thermal interfaces, and harness routing, from concept through production
• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, setting technical direction, review standards, and execution pace
• Define and own interfaces and technical budgets across the laser comm payload
• Drive structural and thermal analysis efforts, working with analysts to validate designs against requirements
• Develop and maintain mechanical drawings, GD&T specifications, and ICDs for internal manufacture and external vendors
• Define and execute mechanical integration and test plans, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum)
• Perform system-level trade studies on packaging, mass, and structural performance to optimize the payload architecture
• Represent the mechanical team in design reviews and system-level discussions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, laser, electrical, and spacecraft teams to ensure compatibility at all mechanical interfaces

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Daily lunch in the office
• Fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks