Spacecraft Mechanical Designer
- ITAR / US person
How this pay compares
This posting states $123k–$185k a year. Open mechanical engineer jobs in Maryland post a median of $152k a year, the middle half $125k–$177k, across 22 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.
About the job
## Title Spacecraft Mechanical Designer ## Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! We are seeking an experienced mechanical designer to develop novel design concepts for space flight instruments including electro-mechanical systems, mechanisms, opto-mechanical, structures and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) for a new mission.
You will assist the Spacecraft Mechanical Lead and subsystem leads with concept design, final detailed flight assembly modeling, and fabrication and assembly drawing generation in CAD software including Creo and SolidWorks. ## Key Responsibilities - Mechanical Design: Create and mature complex mechanical designs for structures, moving mechanisms, opto-mechanical assemblies, and MGSE for space flight environments. - CAD Modeling: Develop high-fidelity part and assembly CAD models using SolidWorks or Creo. - Drawing Production: Generate production-ready engineering drawings, including detailed assembly and piece-part designs. - GD&T Application: Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles per ASME Y14.5 to ensure proper fit, form, and function. - Material Selection: Select appropriate aerospace-grade materials, surface treatments, and hardware components based on space flight compatibility, thermal needs, and structural loads. - Analysis Collaboration: Coordinate closely with analysis teams for generation of Finite Element Models (FEM), apply design updates based on analyst recommendations. - Project Support: Attend and report status at weekly mechanical status meetings, support preparation for key project design reviews. ## Basic Qualifications - Education: Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design or a related technical discipline, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred. - Experience: 5+ years of experience in space/aerospace/defense hardware design.
Hands-on experience with spacecraft hardware through environmental testing and into launch preferred. - Software Proficiency: Dassault SolidWorks and PTC Creo CAD proficiency preferred. Experience with modeling of sheet metal, piping, cabling, routed systems preferred.
Proficient with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint). - Drafting Proficiency: Proficient with Engineering Drawing Practices per ASME Y14.1 and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5. - Product Data Management: Proficient with PTC WindChill Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and Configuration Management (CM) systems. - Core Skills: Ability to work well in a team environment.
Good verbal and written communication skills. Self-motivated, self-starter. Ability to work in a dynamic environment and adapt to changes. Ability to multi-task. Good organizational skills. - Clearance: Must be a U.S.
Citizen or Green Card holder due to government and ITAR/export control regulations. ## Basic Compensation $123,200.00 - $184,800.00 The offered rate will be based on contract affordability and the selected candidate’s working location, knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience, and in consideration of internal parity ## KBR Benefits KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule.
We support career advancement through professional training and development. Click here to learn more: https://careers.kbr.com/us/en/kbr-benefits #LI-EM2 Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.
That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. KBR is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
From KBR's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About KBR
KBR's space work: NASA human spaceflight support at Johnson Space Center, Stennis Space Center operations and space systems engineering for the Space Force.
Pay on its listings: 70.4% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on KBR's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
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