Mechanical Engineer, Mechanisms

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 specializing in mechanisms at AstroForge, you will design, analyze, build, and test critical spacecraft mechanisms that must operate reliably in the harsh environment of space. This role emphasizes hands-on ownership of mechanism designs, from concept through qualification and flight, including deployment systems, actuation mechanisms, and precision moving assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop spacecraft mechanisms, including deployment systems, actuation mechanisms, gimbals, and other precision moving assemblies.
• Own mechanism designs end-to-end, from CAD and analysis through fabrication, integration, and testing.
• Perform detailed mechanical analysis, including stress, fatigue, kinematics, and dynamics, to validate mechanism performance.
• Conduct and support dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.
• Plan, execute, and analyze mechanism tests; use test results to iterate and improve designs.
• Apply GD&T and tolerance analysis to ensure proper function and reliability of moving interfaces.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, interfaces, and verification plans.
• Support material selection and manufacturing process development for mechanism components.
• Document designs, analyses, test results, and lessons learned with full traceability to requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience designing mechanical systems and mechanisms for spacecraft or aerospace applications.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (preferably NX).
• Demonstrated expertise in GD&T and precision mechanical design (required).
• Experience personally building, integrating, and testing mechanism hardware.
• Strong understanding of mechanical fundamentals, including dynamics and kinematics.
• Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with spacecraft mechanisms such as solar array deployments, actuation systems, and gimbals.
• Hands-on experience with FEA and structural analysis of mechanisms.
• Experience performing dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for analysis, simulation, or test automation.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes for moving assemblies.
• Experience taking spacecraft mechanisms 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: $108,250 - $140,500

Level III: $137,250 - $175,500

Level IV: $171,250 - $197,500

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.