Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Fortastra Corporation

• $130K — $170K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical design for spacecraft, robotics, automotive, or high-reliability systems.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD tools like NX, Creo, or SolidWorks.
  • Experience with mounting hardware and structural components for electronic or power hardware.
  • Basic understanding of thermal and structural considerations for integration of batteries and solar systems.
  • Proficient in creating engineering drawings and working within revision control environments.
  • Experience in fields like spacecraft, EVs, robotics, or renewable energy systems is beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Design mechanical integration for spacecraft batteries and solar arrays.
  • Create and manage CAD models for various subsystems and mounting structures.
  • Define mechanical interfaces and harness routing strategies with power electronics engineers.
  • Incorporate thermal and structural requirements into mechanical designs, collaborating with analysts as needed.
  • Generate detailed drawings and documentation for mechanical hardware with strict revision control.
  • Assist in optimizing panel and battery placement for integration and maintainability.
  • Work with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical for assembly and testing.

Benefits

  • Unlimited Paid Time Off for rest and recharge.
  • Comprehensive healthcare including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents.
  • Equity options to share in the company's success.
  • 401(k) plan to aid in future financial planning.
  • Regular social events and team outings to foster a positive workplace culture.
Full Job Description
The Role

Fortastra is seeking a Sr.Mechanical Engineer focused on battery and solar integration to own the mechanical design, packaging, and integration of power subsystems on our spacecraft. You will be responsible for how batteries, solar arrays, and associated hardware are mechanically realized on the vehicle, including mounting, thermal and structural considerations, deployment interfaces, and harness routing.

This role is ideal for a mechanically strong engineer who wants to specialize in power-related hardware while still working across the full vehicle. You will collaborate closely with power electronics, avionics, thermal, and structures teams to ensure that power subsystems are robust, maintainable, and flight-ready.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design mechanical integration for spacecraft batteries, solar panels or arrays, and supporting structures and mechanisms.
  • Own CAD models for battery modules, solar panel assemblies, mounting brackets, deployment linkages, and related hardware.
  • Work with power and avionics engineers to define mechanical interfaces, connector placements, and harness routing strategies that minimize risk and simplify integration.
  • Account for thermal, structural, and vibration requirements in the mechanical design of power subsystems, coordinating with thermal and structural analysts as needed.
  • Generate and release detailed drawings, BOMs, and documentation for battery and solar mechanical hardware with disciplined revision control.
  • Support trades on panel and battery placement, packaging efficiency, access for integration and test, and maintainability on the vehicle.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing and integration teams to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and serviceable, and support floor activities such as installation procedures and fit checks.
  • Identify and resolve mechanical issues related to cable routing, clearances, and interactions between power subsystems and other spacecraft hardware.

Qualifications and Skills
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical design for spacecraft, robotics, automotive, energy storage, or other high-reliability systems.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent), including part and assembly modeling.
  • Experience designing mounting hardware, enclosures, or structural components for electronic or power hardware such as batteries or power electronics.
  • Basic understanding of structural and thermal considerations for battery and solar integration, and willingness to work with specialists in those disciplines.
  • Experience creating engineering drawings, applying tolerances, and working within a revision-controlled environment.
  • Familiarity with mechanical design around cable routing, connectors, and minimizing mechanical-electrical interference is a plus.
  • Experience in domains such as spacecraft, EVs, robotics, or renewable energy systems is beneficial.

Requirements
  • 5 days on-site in Torrance, CA
  • U.S. Citizenship required


Benefits

We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work.

Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge.

Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for.

Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build.

401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead.

Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of.

The pay range for this role is $130,000.00 - $170,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position.

Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly.

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