Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Test & R&D)

What you'll do:

• Design and develop mechanical test beds and integrated test systems for component, subsystem, and system-level testing. 
• Develop structures, frames, mechanisms, motion systems, fixtures, mounts, enclosures, and equipment interfaces. 
• Integrate mechanical hardware with sensors, actuators, motors, instrumentation, electrical systems, and controls. 
• Design fixtures and GSE supporting environmental testing, including vibration, thermal, vacuum, thermal-vacuum, shock, and other qualification/development testing. 
• Design hardware capable of maintaining required structural, thermal, and dimensional performance throughout environmental test conditions. 
• Develop interfaces between flight/development hardware and external test equipment. 
• Perform appropriate structural, tolerance, thermal, and load-path analysis or coordinate analysis with the appropriate engineering teams. 
• Design CNC workholding and fixturing for complex aerospace components and assemblies. 
• Develop fixtures, soft jaws, nests, locating schemes, modular workholding, and inspection fixtures. 
• Design fixtures around GD&T, datums, machining processes, tool access, workholding requirements, and part deformation considerations. 
• Design and develop GSE for transportation, handling, assembly, integration, testing, servicing, and maintenance of aerospace hardware. 
• Develop lifting fixtures, handling carts, transportation fixtures, assembly stands, work stands, protective covers, access platforms, and specialized support equipment. 
• Design GSE around hardware interfaces, center of gravity, load paths, handling requirements, operational constraints, and personnel safety. 
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and manufacturing documentation. 
• Develop concepts from incomplete or evolving requirements and rapidly iterate toward workable solutions. 

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline  
• 5+ years of mechanical design engineering experience 
• Experience designing hardware intended for CNC machining, welding, fabrication, and/or additive manufacturing. 

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware development environment.” 
• Experience designing mechatronics test systems or automated test equipment. 
• Experience with environmental testing, particularly vibration, thermal, thermal-vacuum, or shock testing. 
• Experience designing GSE for aerospace hardware. 
• Experience with CNC machining and CNC workholding/fixture design. 
• Familiarity with load cells, accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure sensors, LVDTs, displacement sensors, and other test instrumentation. 
• Demonstrated experience using 3D CAD to create mechanical designs and detailed manufacturing drawings 
• Experience integrating motors, actuators, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, sensors, and electrical components into mechanical test equipment. 
• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, or thermal analysis. 
• Experience designing for vacuum or cryogenic environments. 
• Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes. 
• Experience working with ASME Y14.5 and aerospace drawing standards. 
• Experience supporting hardware through environmental qualification or acceptance testing. 
• Experience working directly with machine shops and fabrication vendors. 
• Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative hardware development. 
• Demonstrated experience designing mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, GSE, or production equipment. 
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, GD&T, tolerancing, materials, fasteners, and manufacturing processes. 
• Ability to independently take a concept from requirements through design, fabrication, assembly, and testing. 

• Combination of office and manufacturing floor environments  
• Frequent interaction with CNC machines, fabrication equipment, and production hardware  
• Hands-on support of active production and integration operations may be required 
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work around industrial equipment safely  

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

About
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission.  Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values.  At Astrolab we…Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life. Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.