Staff Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and manufacturability of next-generation Hall-effect thrusters for spacecraft propulsion. This position is critical in ensuring propulsion systems achieve world-class performance and reliability in orbit, while also being optimized for repeatable, cost-effective, and scalable production.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in mechanical design for extreme environments with a proven ability to apply design-for-manufacture (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) principles. This is a leadership role with direct impact on the design, integration, and qualification of propulsion hardware that must survive launch and operate reliably for years in space.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of Hall-effect thrusters, including discharge channels, magnetic circuits, and electrode assemblies
• Drive DFM / DFA practices to scale hardware from prototypes into high-volume production
• Specify advanced materials, coatings, and joining methods suitable for plasma environments and long-duration missions
• Perform structural, thermal, and dynamic analyses to validate designs against launch and space environments
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams to resolve producibility challenges and qualify vendors
• Lead and support mechanical testing campaigns (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, life testing) for flight hardware
• Partner with plasma physics, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure integrated thruster performance
• Mentor engineers, review designs, and serve as subject matter expert in manufacturable spacecraft propulsion hardware
• Champion continuous improvement to simplify, standardize, and modularize designs for reduced cost and faster production cycles

Compensation

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Skills / Multipliers

Other Requirements