Senior Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)

Orbit Fab's mission is to create the foundational infrastructure that will fuel a bustling in-space economy, capable of sustaining permanent jobs in space. Today, satellites cannot be refueled, which severely constrains their mobility and inhibits the development of economic activities in space. 

Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models. 

Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced mechanical engineer for the design, analysis, and optimization of complex spaceflight mechanisms. This role involves end-to-end responsibility from conceptual design through production and operation. This position will require a high level of comfort with open design spaces, prototyping, and being hands on with hardware. Submitting a portfolio is strongly encouraged. If you consider yourself to be a builder, maker, or doer, please apply!

What you'll do

• Mechanical Design & Analysis: Ownership of the design and analysis of space mechanisms. 
• • Ideate and prototype solutions to design problems.
  • Develop and maintain detailed CAD models, design documentation, and manufacturing drawings.
  • Perform analysis verification for designs and evaluate compliance to expected environments.

• System Coordination: 
• • Work closely with the Systems Engineering team to ensure mechanisms systems integrate effectively with overall mission objectives and both electrical and fluid subsystems. 

• Design Optimization: 
• • Rapidly iterate on designs to inform product direction and aid system level trades. 
  • Apply design for manufacturability (DFM and DFA) principles to enhance manufacturing efficiency.

• End to End Program Support: 
• • Manage the entire lifecycle, through qualification testing of your products.
  • With the support of program management, drive product delivery timelines and ensure high-quality, timely outputs.
  • Proactively identify and address technical challenges. 

• Collaboration & Communication: 
• • Foster effective communication with team members and customers. 
  • Maintain positive working relationships and promote a productive work environment. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in mechanism or robotics design, fabrication, and/or test
• Proficiency in CAD
• Experience taking a product from concept to operation
• Knowledge of space rated materials and design trades around material choices
• Can work effectively both autonomously and in a multidisciplinary team
• An effective sense of urgency and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, small company environment
• Strong background in GD&T, materials selection, and manufacturing methods
• Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, strategic, statistical, and personal skills
• Must be willing and able to work a hybrid schedule (3-5 days a week on site) out of our Lafayette, CO office

Nice to Have:

• 10+ years of experience in design, fabrication, and/or test of mechanisms
• Experience with SolidWorks, NASTRAN, MATLAB, and programming languages (e.g., Python)
• Experience with the space environment, spacecraft or launch vehicle operations
• Experience with c