Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: On-site in Burlingame, California, United States

Salary: $150,000–$175,000 per year, plus equity

Company

Xona develops satellite-based navigational intelligence and real-time, centimeter-level positioning infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit.

What you will do

• Design and simulate fluid delivery systems across high-pressure and free-molecular-flow regimes.
• Select, specify, and qualify valves, transducers, filters, regulators, and other fluid-system components for spaceflight.
• Develop ground-test infrastructure, including safety-critical containment hardware for high-pressure operations.
• Implement flow-control logic, valve sequencing, setpoint management, fault protection, and ground-test automation.
• Create work instructions, test procedures, assembly documentation, CAD models, drawings, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with structures, electrical, and software engineers from prototyping through spacecraft integration and production.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience designing fluid or gas delivery systems, preferably in aerospace, semiconductor, or related industries.
• Experience with pressurized-system design, leak detection, proof or burst testing, solenoid valves, flow controllers, and pressure regulation hardware.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
• Understanding of continuum and free molecular flow, plus experience designing and executing qualification or acceptance test programs.
• For U.S. roles, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Nice to have

• Experience with high-vacuum systems, vacuum-compatible materials, tubing standards, fittings, and tube routing.
• Automation or control software experience with LabVIEW, Python, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of DOT certification and hazardous pressure-system regulations.
• Experience documenting flight hardware and familiarity with spacecraft integration and mechanical design for space environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work spanning mechanical design, testing, process development, and production.
• Opportunity to contribute from early prototyping through spacecraft integration.
• Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity.
• Compensation includes equity.