We are seeking a skilled early to mid-career Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Agile team at TransAstra, a space technology company located near Sylmar, California. We have exciting development products in several areas including optical sensing (Space Domain Awareness), spacecraft propulsion, and orbital debris removal. We are focused on developing state-of-the-art hardware and software to support our groundbreaking projects. The candidate we seek will be instrumental in designing parts and systems associated with complex mechanical systems.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead the design and development of mechanical components and systems using SolidWorks CAD, ensuring designs meet both functionality and reliability standards for space applications.
Use PDM systems for efficient management and tracking of design data, documentation, and revisions throughout the project lifecycle.
Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate mechanical designs with electrical, software, and other system components, ensuring seamless functionality and system integrity.
Apply mechanical design principles including stress analysis, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and vibration analysis to create robust and reliable systems for ground and space based applications.
Oversee prototyping and testing phases, analyzing test results, and making necessary adjustments to designs based on feedback and performance metrics.
Participate in design reviews, presenting designs to stakeholders and incorporating feedback into project development cycles.
Required Qualifications/Experience:
B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Strong proficiency in CAD for designing mechanical systems and components (SolidWorks preferred).
Solid understanding of mechanical design principles, including but not limited to structures, mechanisms, material selection, stress analysis, and tolerance analysis.
Demonstrated experience in designing, prototyping, and testing mechanical systems, preferably in the space industry or similar high-tech fields.
Proficiency in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
Understanding of basic fabrication methods (mill, lathe, 3D printing, etc.)
U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder, due to the export-controlled nature of our work.
Ability to work on-site at our facility near Sylmar, California, for a minimum of 40 hours per week.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
Experience with PDM systems for managing design data and documentation.
Direct experience in PDM implementation and management, demonstrating a deep understanding of best practices in design data and lifecycle management.
Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience with FEA, thermal and/or CFD simulations.
Direct manufacturing experience with CNC mills, lathes, and other standard fabrication methods.
Prior involvement in space technology projects, especially those related to optical sensing, spacecraft propulsion, or orbital debris removal.
Compensation and Benefits:
Competitive salary with stock options.
A high-performance work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration.
Flexible vacation policy to support work-life balance.
401(k) retirement plan and health insurance.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.