Mechanical Engineer II/III

Opterus Research and Development

$90K — $140K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field
  • Mechanical Engineer II: 2+ years experience
  • Mechanical Engineer III: 5+ years experience
  • Experience with spacecraft design, deployable structures, and/or composites strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in GD&T and standard analysis practices
  • Fluency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
  • Strong communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

  • Design and analyze deployable systems
  • Develop structural components and mechanisms from ideation through production
  • Create CAD assemblies and documentation in SolidWorks
  • Support hardware assembly and integration in a cleanroom environment
  • Test and validate structural components and confirm flight readiness
  • Iterate and prototype designs using test data
  • Collaborate with engineering and production teams to meet project goals
  • Mentor junior Mechanical Engineers

Benefits

  • Flexible hybrid schedules (9/80 or 10/80)
  • Employee premiums covered 100% and 70% coverage for dependents
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) with 4% company match
  • 9 paid holidays
Full Job Description


About the Position:

As a Mechanical Engineer II or III, you will help design and develop lightweight, high-performance deployable structures and integrated systems for spacecraft and lunar surface missions. This role is ideal for someone with a passion for aerospace mechanisms, composites, or deployable structures, and who thrives in a fast-paced, iterative environment.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Design and analyze deployable systems.
  • Take ownership of developing structural components and mechanisms from initial ideation through prototyping, qualification, and production.
  • Create CAD assemblies and documentation using SolidWorks to produce detailed models, build documentation, and mechanical drawings.
  • Support hardware assembly and integration by performing hands on work in a cleanroom environment to ensure precise and reliable system builds.
  • Test and validate structural components by executing performance tests, analyzing results, and confirming flight readiness.
  • Iterate and prototype designs frequently, characterizing performance, documenting findings, and refining concepts based on test data.
  • Collaborate across engineering and production teams to meet quality, schedule, and budget goals while ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Solve complex engineering challenges by adapting quickly, pivoting when needed, and proposing innovative solutions to unforeseen issues.
  • Provide mentorship for junior Mechanical Engineers.
  • Perform additional engineering duties as required to support mission and program success

Qualifications:
  • BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field.
  • Mechanical Engineer II: 2+ years experience
  • Mechanical Engineer III: 5+ years experience
  • Experience with spacecraft design, deployable structures, and/or composites strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated creative problem-solving and engineering intuition.
  • Proficiency in GD&T and standard analysis practices.
  • Fluency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • US citizen or permanent resident required.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Flexible hybrid schedules (9/80 or 10/80) with at least two in office days per week
  • Opterus covers 100% of employee premiums and 70% of dependent premiums
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Life & AD&D
  • 401(k) with 4% company match
  • 9 paid holidays
  • Mechanical Engineer II: $90,000-$118,000
  • Mechanical Engineer III: $114,000-$140,000

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