K2 Space Principal Mechanisms Engineer, Optical leading design and production of spacecraft mechanisms including actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheels. Set manufacturing policy and standards for mechanisms.
Responsibilities
Every rotational actuator, separation mechanism, gimbal, and reaction wheel that leaves your production line will fly on a satellite that has to work flawlessly the first time, with no one there to fix it once it's in orbit, and as a Principal, the standards you set will shape how every one of those mechanisms gets built for years to come. Partnering with the Mechanisms Engineering team from day one, you will build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and carry these mechanisms, along with the electromechanical assemblies and machined components they integrate into, from initial concept through high-rate production. In your first 6 months, you'll build test articles supporting the team's development and qualification campaigns and provide the Design-for-Excellence (DFX) guidance that shapes how these mechanisms get built. Beyond your own programs, you will set manufacturing policy and standards, flag risk in upcoming designs before it becomes a problem, plan ahead for the manufacturability of future programs, and build the tools that make the rest of the Manufacturing Engineering team faster and more effective.
Lead DFX reviews with the Mechanisms Engineering team, providing manufacturability, testability, and assembly guidance across mechanisms, machined components, and assemblies for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
Lead the development of innovative manufacturing systems for spacecraft mechanisms, including rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
Set manufacturing policy, standards, and best practices for the Manufacturing Engineering organization, proactively identifying and mitigating manufacturability, process, and quality risks before they surface
Plan manufacturing strategy, tooling, and capacity investments ahead of future mechanism designs and program roadmaps
Research and pilot new assembly methodologies and automation technologies, using data-driven analysis to optimize current production and inform manufacturing business decisions
Create custom tools, automation, and processes — including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software — to support the manufacturing technologies you create and streamline the work of the broader Manufacturing Engineering team
Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to continuously improve the manufacturability of the designs
Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team’s development and qualification test campaigns, iterating on hardware and processes as test results come in
Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite and ensure that build times align with current takt times
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior manufacturing engineers, technicians, and design peers on mechanisms manufacturing best practices
Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to lead R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products
Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical
Required
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or other relevant engineering discipline
10+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
Demonstrated track record of leading product development and/or process improvement initiatives
Strong understanding of mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 (Design and Development Requirements for Mechanisms) and AIAA S-114 (Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch Vehicles), as well as familiarity with the environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000) the Mechanisms Engineering team designs against
Strong understanding of how to set up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds and transitioning from low to high-rate manufacturing
Deep understanding of mechanisms subassembly manufacturing technologies, including rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
Strong understanding of design-for-excellence (DFX) principles, with the ability to guide design teams across mechanisms, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
Strong understanding of GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs
Demonstrated ability to set manufacturing policy and proactively identify and mitigate manufacturing risk across programs, and to influence cross-functional teams to drive design changes for manufacturability
Experience developing or deploying tools, automation, or software that scale the efficiency of a manufacturing engineering team
Preferred
Familiarity with precision bearing standards (e.g., ABMA) and bearing preload techniques and measurement, as used in rotational actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
Experience designing tooling for mechanisms and electromechanical subassemblies
Some experience with wire harness manufacturing and integration
Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up, including driving design improvements for manufacturing
Experience working closely with technicians and build tooling
Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as lubrication practices, torque specifications, and quality assurance standards
Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
Familiarity with data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL) or automation platforms used to process manufacturing data and drive business decisions
