Job Summary

This position will play a key role in the development of CubeSats and small satellites. Responsibilities include designing and developing solar array deployment mechanisms, spacecraft structures, and integrating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components into flight-ready spacecraft. The role offers the opportunity to contribute across the full spacecraft development lifecycle, from design through integration and testing.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Designing small spacecraft
• Experience with mechanism designs and components
• Generating design requirements
• Designing components and assemblies taking machinability and assembly into consideration.
• Interfacing with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Purchasing specialty mechanical hardware.
• Performing stress calculations on structural members.
• Presenting your design to internal and external reviewers.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

• Due to requirements to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
• CAD design experience using SolidWorks.
• Experience creating mechanical drawings.
• Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, GD&T.

What We Can Offer

$109,503 - $142,434

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• BS or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 4 years' experience in mechanical engineering and design.
• This position requires onsite presence.
• Due to requirements to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.

What You Will Need

• Ability to function well in a team-based environment.
• Attention to detail.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Working knowledge of mechanism design and/or opto-mechanical design.
• Ansys and or Nastran knowledge.
• Working knowledge of structural analysis (static and dynamic) and finite element software.
• Recent experience aerospace experience a plus.
• Cleanroom experience.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV.
2. Cover Letter.

(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.

Please apply by 8/6/2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.