Senior Mechanisms Engineer

Karman+

$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in mechanism design with hands-on involvement in design, analysis, build, and testing.
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft mechanism design elements such as materials compatibility and thermal expansion.
  • Proven background in machining and manufacturing space mechanisms, balancing in-house production and outsourcing.
  • Experience applying finite element analysis and stress testing to mechanical designs.
  • Familiarity with thermal and propulsion system design principles.
  • Ability to maintain tight design cycles and embrace a build and break approach.
  • Proactive problem-solver with a mindset focused on practical applications of theoretical designs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead full-cycle development of space mechanisms like thruster gimbals and solar array drives.
  • Select materials and ensure compatibility for effective operation in orbit.
  • Manage the manufacturing process, evaluating in-house versus outsourced options.
  • Design and acquire components for linear and rotational drive systems.
  • Implement effective feedback mechanisms within designs.
  • Conduct finite element analysis and assess thermal expansion throughout mission phases.
  • Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to refine and align design requirements.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space technology.
  • Collaborative environment with diverse teams.
  • Potential for professional development and skills advancement.
  • Exposure to advanced design and manufacturing techniques.
  • Contribute to missions with significant impact in space exploration.
Full Job Description
Your role would be to drive development of mission critical mechanisms, such as solar array drive actuators, thruster gimbals, and deployers. With your expertise, you will take new and existing designs from CAD to reality, by driving design, analysis, build, test, and integration.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
  • Full cycle development of thruster gimbals, solar array drives, and deployers.
  • Own material selection, and environmental compatibility to ensure successful operation of mechanisms in orbit.
  • Drive manufacturing of components and assess build vs buy trades.
  • Design and procure drive trains for linear and rotational actuators.
  • Specify and implement feedback mechanisms.
  • Finite element analysis, stress contact studies, and thermal expansion simulations for relevant mission phases.
  • Collaborate closely with other teams to refine requirements, based on their use cases.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with the mechanical and robotic subsystems. Conduct regular reviews to address technical risks and adjust mitigation strategies as needed.


What You Bring
  • Equivalent of 5+ years of experience in mechanism design, with a hands-on approach to design, analysis, build, and testing.
  • A robust understanding of design considerations for spacecraft mechanisms, such as light weighting, surface coating selection, materials compatibility, galvanic corrosion/dissimilar metals, outgassing, and thermal expansion.
  • Proven track record in machining and manufacturing of space mechanisms through a combination of vertical integration and outsourcing.
  • Problem-solving mindset- going from theory to hardware by working in a lab to define testing and verify analysis to ensure integrity across mission phases.
  • An understanding of thermal and propulsion system design considerations.
  • A desire to keep design cycles tight, by following a build and break philosophy.
  • Motivation to challenge the status quo, and be an integral part of an elite team.

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