Mechanism Engineer Level 1

Kent, Washingtonfull timeOn Site

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Mechanism Engineer Level 1 at Cowboyspace · LumiJobs

mid

$74k–$114k

H1B: no

Cowboyspace Mechanisms Engineer owning vehicle mechanism subsystems from concept through flight. Work on separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation.

Responsibilities

As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development, and it is a real ownership role from day one. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through test. Expect to move quickly, iterate often, and be trusted with mechanisms that directly impact mission success.
Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data.
Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions.
Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time.
Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements.
Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning.

Qualification

Proficiency with CAD (NXWorking knowledge of FEA tools (ANSYSMust be a UExposure to separation systemsExperience at a fast-moving

Required

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
1+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware. Internships, co-ops, and competition or research team experience count.
Experience seeing a mechanical design through to physical hardware — built, assembled, and tested.
Solid fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and experience creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Working knowledge of FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) applied to structural or mechanism problems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred

3+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Exposure to separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators.
Hands-on prototyping and machining experience — personal projects, shop work, and student build teams (FSAE, Baja, rocketry, robotics) all qualify.
Familiarity with reusable vehicle design.
Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
Track record of picking up unfamiliar problems quickly and closing them out with minimal direction.