{"id":1643997,"url":"https://alion.io/job/astroforge-mechanical-engineer-mechanisms","title":"Mechanical Engineer, Mechanisms","company":{"id":2263925,"name":"AstroForge","domain":"astroforge.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/astroforge","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Gem","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":56,"open_postings":15,"ghost_share":0.733,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-03T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Seal Beach, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":108250,"max":140500,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":140500},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-01-13T01:20:57Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-30","last_verified_at":"2026-10-04T00:38:01Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":264,"trust":{"level":"ghost","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale","company_stale"],"days_open":263},"description":"About the Company\nAt 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.\nJob Description\nAs 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.\nResponsibilities\nDesign and develop spacecraft mechanisms, including deployment systems, actuation mechanisms, gimbals, and other precision moving assemblies.\nOwn mechanism designs end-to-end, from CAD and analysis through fabrication, integration, and testing.\nPerform detailed mechanical analysis, including stress, fatigue, kinematics, and dynamics, to validate mechanism performance.\nConduct and support dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.\nPlan, execute, and analyze mechanism tests; use test results to iterate and improve designs.\nApply GD&T and tolerance analysis to ensure proper function and reliability of moving interfaces.\nCollaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, interfaces, and verification plans.\nSupport material selection and manufacturing process development for mechanism components.\nDocument designs, analyses, test results, and lessons learned with full traceability to requirements.\nBasic Qualifications\nBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.\n5-10 years of experience designing mechanical systems and mechanisms for spacecraft or aerospace applications.\nStrong proficiency in CAD software (preferably NX).\nDemonstrated expertise in GD&T and precision mechanical design (required).\nExperience personally building, integrating, and testing mechanism hardware.\nStrong understanding of mechanical fundamentals, including dynamics and kinematics.\nAbility to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.\nPreferred Skills and Experience\nExperience with spacecraft mechanisms such as solar array deployments, actuation systems, and gimbals.\nHands-on experience with FEA and structural analysis of mechanisms.\nExperience performing dynamics simulations and mechanism modeling.\nProficiency in Python and/or C++ for analysis, simulation, or test automation.\nFamiliarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes for moving assemblies.\nExperience taking spacecraft mechanisms from concept through flight.\nBenefits\n100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage\nVision and FSA benefits available\n3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time\n10 paid holidays\nRetirement savings plan - 401(k), with company match\nEquity on the ground floor of a startup\nSalary\nLevel II: $108,250 - $140,500\nLevel III: $137,250 - $175,500\nLevel IV: $171,250 - $197,500\nITAR Requirements\nTo 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":3567,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Insurance coverage","Life insurance","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-01T22:54:37Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":6,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.199,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":263,"expected_fill_days":42,"reasons":["conf:16","stale_co","ghost","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-10-03T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":140500,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/astroforge-mechanical-engineer-mechanisms","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/astroforge-mechanical-engineer-mechanisms.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-04T01:41:05Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2168,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2832,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-05T00:00:00Z"}}}