R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Posting Number req27462
Department Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Department Website Link https://lpl.arizona.edu/
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights The successful candidate will serve as the senior mechanical engineering technical authority for NASA-sponsored spaceflight payload projects, potentially including camera systems, seismometers and spectrometers. They will direct highly complex mechanical design, interface development, integration, environmental verification, and delivery where engineering precedent may be limited. They will establish technical direction, resolve novel engineering challenges, and influence multidisciplinary partners while coordinating project objectives, risk, quality, and documentation. The position supports the University of Arizona's research mission through advanced spaceflight engineering.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.Duties & Responsibilities - Lead the mechanical design and development of spaceflight payload hardware, including structures, mounting approaches, mechanical layouts, and design documentation from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, verification, and test readiness.
- Establish engineering approaches, assess complex trade-offs, resolve technical challenges, and ensure designs address payload requirements, spacecraft/lander interfaces, and launch and spaceflight environmental constraints.
- Establish innovative engineering approaches for highly complex, unprecedented technical challenges; evaluate trade-offs and define design practices appropriate to novel scientific instrumentation.
- Develop mechanical integration and test plans for spaceflight hardware, including environmental verification consistent with NASA General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) or applicable project-specific standards.
- Lead assembly, alignment, fit checks, interface verification, environmental tests, and functional test configurations.
- Direct mechanical ground support equipment development, integration procedures, anomaly resolution, test readiness, post-test assessments, and configuration control.
- Lead design, analysis, documentation, and verification of complex interfaces between University of Arizona-developed payloads and externally developed spacecraft or instrument support systems.
- Provide technical inputs to Mechanical Interface Control Documents (MICDs) for delivered flight seismometer units.
- Define interface requirements, integration approaches, and procedures addressing structural, thermal, alignment, manufacturing, and environmental performance; oversee interface maturity and risk mitigation.
- Serve as senior mechanical engineering authority for University of Arizona-led spaceflight payload projects.
- Guide technical decisions, trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and issue resolution. Coordinate activities across systems engineering, project management, external partners, test facilities, and vendors to meet project objectives.
- Providing strategic technical direction, influence cross-functional partners, establish engineering methods and quality practices, and mentor other technical contributors as appropriate to the assigned projects.
- Briefings to executive leadership regarding research findings for projects throughout different stages of development.
- Lead preparation and technical review of engineering drawings, interface control documentation, verification records, test plans and procedures, trade studies, configuration management products, and review packages.
- Provide engineering leadership at design reviews, milestone assessments, and configuration-control activities, supporting compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and NASA documentation expectations.
This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications - Master's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience required.
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing, developing, integrating, and testing mechanical hardware for spaceflight or comparable aerospace applications.
Preferred QualificationsFLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
Job FTE 1.0
Work Calendar Fiscal
Job Category Research
Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay $139,102 - $180,833
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade 14
Compensation Guidance The
Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The
Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level PC5
Job Family Research Engineering
Job Function Research
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 1
Target Hire Date Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Carina Bennett
Engineering Manager, LPL Spaceflight Hardware
carinaj@arizona.edu
Open Date 10/28/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant 
