Associate Mechanical Engineer

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Terran Orbital is seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Manager, the Associate Mechanical Engineer will contribute to all aspects of spacecraft mechanical design, including spacecraft layout, structural and thermal sub‑systems, mechanism design, payload and launch vehicle integration, through all stages of the product lifecycle. The Associate Mechanical Engineer will help turn designs into reality via prototyping, development testing, and low‑rate initial production.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the mechanical engineering design and development of spacecraft and spacecraft sub‑systems including flight hardware, mechanisms, and ground support equipment.
• Model spacecraft and ground support equipment mechanical parts, cable harnesses, and assemblies in accordance with industry best practices.
• Perform vehicle and sub‑system analysis using hand calculations, finite element tools, and other relevant techniques to support robust early‑stage design.
• Create and maintain design documentation, including drawings, Bills of Material, Interface Control Drawings, Compliance Verification Matrices, and Design Notebooks.
• Generate technical content in support of internal and external design reviews.
• In coordination with Electrical Integration and Harness Manufacturing teams, support development of spacecraft electrical cabling solutions, including connector selection, bundle design, routing, retention, and integration instructions.
• Contribute mechanical engineering expertise to refine production workflows, assembly sequences, and testing protocols to support efficient initial production.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, automation, and production personnel to implement design‑for‑manufacturing and design‑for‑assembly best practices.
• Stay current with advancements in technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes, and apply this knowledge to enhance spacecraft design and performance.
• Support process development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
• 0+ years (Associate Engineer - level 1) of experience designing mechanical systems in space, aerospace, automotive, or a similar engineering sector.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, Creo, or similar CAD software.
• Ability to interpret and apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing in accordance with ASME Y14.5.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware manufacture, inspection, assembly, and/or testing.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively within a collaborative engineering environment.
• Experience working with internal or external customers.
• Passion for space technology and a commitment to contributing to innovative engineering solutions.
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience supporting product development across multiple stages of the product lifecycle.
• Experience in a production environment within the space or aerospace industry.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!

Salary Range

$85,000 - $100,000 USD

Full-time positions only:

Benefits

• 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
• 401(k) Match
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Education Reimbursement
• Competitive Paid Parental Leave

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com .

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.