Mechanical Engineer
Location: Hawthorne, CA (Los Angeles Area) | Onsite
About the Opportunity
A stealth-mode, venture-backed space technology startup in the Los Angeles area is building a first-of-its-kind solution to extend the impact of solar energy after sunset. With recent Series A funding from top-tier investors, this ~20-person engineering team is preparing for their inaugural orbital launch in 2026. The company is led by proven experts in aerospace hardware and rapid innovation.
Why Join?
- Shape the design and foundation of a new generation of space-based systems.
- Work directly with a talented, multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Own projects from concept to orbit, with real impact and autonomy.
- Help deliver technology that can transform the future of energy and sustainability.
Role Overview
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will take ownership of designing, prototyping, and flight-validating critical spacecraft components and integrated mechanical systems on tight deadlines. Your focus will be on delivering functional, flight-ready hardware that balances simplicity, scrappiness, analytical rigor, and ingenuity.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver flight-ready spacecraft components and mechanisms.
- Lead hardware from conceptual design through qualification and on-orbit operation.
- Perform and correlate analysis to ensure component reliability in the space environment.
- Collaborate closely with other engineers to design complex, interdependent systems.
- Rapidly iterate on designs, prototypes, and testing for mission-critical hardware.
Ideal Qualifications
- Experience owning spacecraft (or similarly complex) components from clean-sheet design through to successful deployment.
- Deep CAD experience and proficiency.
- Expertise in the design of bolted joints and mechanical interfaces.
- Strong intuition for manufacturing tolerances and shop capabilities.
- Proven ability to collaboratively design and deliver complex, interdependent hardware systems.
Bonus Points For
- Experience with spaceflight hardware or other high-reliability, mission-critical systems.
- Prior work in fast-paced, early-stage engineering environments.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
- A Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline is a strong plus.
- Equivalent hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and validating mechanical systems for spacecraft, robotics, or other complex electromechanical platforms may be considered in lieu of a formal degree for exceptional candidates.
Compensation
- Level 1$90K – $110K • Offers Equity
- Level 2$100K – $125K • Offers Equity
- Level 3$130K – $160K • Offers Equity
- Level 4$150K – $180K • Offers Equity