Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft Design

About the Company

At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. Along the way, we seek to leverage the technologies we build to provide additional value across other domains. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.

Job Description

As a Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft Design at AstroForge, you will own and drive the mechanical design of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and assemblies from early concept through flight. This role is focused on technical leadership in CAD development, configuration control, and mechanical design best practices. You will set the standard for design quality, manage complex CAD assemblies and databases, and partner closely with analysis, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver reliable flight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and documentation of spacecraft mechanical designs from concept, preliminary design, and critical design through flight hardware.
• Own spacecraft mechanical CAD architecture, including large assembly management, configuration control, and CAD database best practices.
• Drive detailed part and assembly design, including structures, mechanisms, and precision interfaces.
• Apply mechanical fundamentals to solve complex and novel spacecraft design challenges.
• Collaborate closely with analysis engineers to ensure designs are structurally and thermally sound and meet mission requirements.
• Oversee drawing creation, GD&T application, and tolerance analysis to ensure manufacturability and proper fit.
• Support hardware build, integration, and test activities, including resolving nonconformances and design issues.
• Identify, implement, and promote best practices in mechanical design, CAD workflows, and documentation standards.
• Provide technical mentorship and design guidance to other mechanical engineers.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5–10 years of experience designing mechanical hardware for spacecraft, aerospace, or equivalent high-reliability systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in CAD software; strong preference for Siemens NX.
• Extensive experience managing large CAD assemblies and complex mechanical interfaces.
• Deep knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis; ability to apply these principles independently.
• Demonstrated ownership of mechanical designs from concept through manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present design decisions, trade-offs, and technical rationale.
• Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience serving as a technical lead or primary designer on flight spacecraft hardware.
• Knowledge of spacecraft mechanical best practices, including materials, manufacturing processes, and environmental considerations.
• Hands-on experience supporting structural and thermal analysis efforts.
• Experience with configuration management and CAD database governance.
• Experience taking aerospace hardware from concept through flight.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
• Vision and FSA benefits available
• 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
• 10 paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan – 401(k), with company match
• Equity on the ground floor of a startup

Salary

Level II: $100,250 - $122,500

Level III: $120,250 - $151,500

Level IV: $150,250 - $195,500

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Government.