Wardstone Verified
Defense and Space Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineer
El SegundoOnsiteFull Time$100,000–$130,000 /yrPosted 20 days agoHidden Gem · YC Startup
Required skills
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- CAD
- FEA
- GD&T
- structural analysis
- shop environment
- ITAR
- security clearance
Nice to have
- missiles
- rockets
- UAVs
- CNC mill
- CNC lathe
- tolerance analysis
Role summary
We are seeking multiple Mechanical Engineers to design, build, and test structures and mechanisms for our interceptors. This role involves taking designs from CAD through fabrication and testing, with significant hands-on experience with flight hardware. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including propulsion, aerodynamics, controls, and electrical engineers. Responsibilities include CAD modeling, structural analysis (hand calculations and FEA), working with vendors, in-house fabrication, hardware assembly, test fixture design and execution, and presenting work in design reviews.
### Overview
We’re hiring several Mechanical Engineers to design, build, and test structures and mechanisms for our interceptors. You’ll take parts and assemblies from CAD through fabrication and test, and see them fly. You’ll report to the Mechanical Engineering Lead and work closely with our senior engineers, who will review your work and help you grow.
You’ll also work alongside the propulsion, aerodynamics, controls, and electrical engineers. At our size, you’ll get more ownership and hands-on time with flight hardware than you would almost anywhere else.
**What You’ll Do**
_Design_
- Design structural parts, brackets, housings, and mechanisms for the interceptor.
- Build CAD models and assemblies, and make clear drawings with GD&T.
- Run hand calculations and FEA to check that your designs can handle launch, flight, and vibration loads.
_Build_
- Work with vendors and machine shops to get parts made, and inspect them when they arrive.
- Build and modify parts, fixtures, and assemblies in our in-house shop.
- Assemble and integrate hardware with the propulsion, avionics, and controls teams.
_Test_
- Design and build test fixtures.
- Run structural, vibration, and environmental tests, and record the results.
- Use test data to improve your designs.
_Collaborate_
- Present your work in design reviews and take feedback well.
- Work with other teams to solve packaging, routing, and interface problems.
**Required Qualifications**
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience designing and building hardware. Student rocketry, Formula SAE, or similar project teams count.
- Solid CAD skills, including assemblies and drawings.
- Working knowledge of structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
- Comfortable working hands-on in a shop and test environment.
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). [Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.]
**Nice to Have**
- Experience with missiles, rockets, UAVs, or other aerospace hardware.
- Manual or CNC mill and lathe experience.
- Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis.
- Experience with composites or high-temperature materials.
- Experience running vibration, shock, or thermal tests.
## Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $100,000 – $130,000 per year.
We’re hiring several Mechanical Engineers to design, build, and test structures and mechanisms for our interceptors. You’ll take parts and assemblies from CAD through fabrication and test, and see them fly. You’ll report to the Mechanical Engineering Lead and work closely with our senior engineers, who will review your work and help you grow.
You’ll also work alongside the propulsion, aerodynamics, controls, and electrical engineers. At our size, you’ll get more ownership and hands-on time with flight hardware than you would almost anywhere else.
**What You’ll Do**
_Design_
- Design structural parts, brackets, housings, and mechanisms for the interceptor.
- Build CAD models and assemblies, and make clear drawings with GD&T.
- Run hand calculations and FEA to check that your designs can handle launch, flight, and vibration loads.
_Build_
- Work with vendors and machine shops to get parts made, and inspect them when they arrive.
- Build and modify parts, fixtures, and assemblies in our in-house shop.
- Assemble and integrate hardware with the propulsion, avionics, and controls teams.
_Test_
- Design and build test fixtures.
- Run structural, vibration, and environmental tests, and record the results.
- Use test data to improve your designs.
_Collaborate_
- Present your work in design reviews and take feedback well.
- Work with other teams to solve packaging, routing, and interface problems.
**Required Qualifications**
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience designing and building hardware. Student rocketry, Formula SAE, or similar project teams count.
- Solid CAD skills, including assemblies and drawings.
- Working knowledge of structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
- Comfortable working hands-on in a shop and test environment.
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). [Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.]
**Nice to Have**
- Experience with missiles, rockets, UAVs, or other aerospace hardware.
- Manual or CNC mill and lathe experience.
- Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis.
- Experience with composites or high-temperature materials.
- Experience running vibration, shock, or thermal tests.
## Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $100,000 – $130,000 per year.
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