Senior Mechanisms Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Senior Mechanisms Engineer (Aerospace): Designing and delivering high-performance mechanical actuation systems for long-range hypersonic strike vehicles with an accent on precise control surface motion and deployment under extreme flight conditions. Focus on architecting gear trains, linkages, and electromechanical actuators to ensure system reliability and performance in high-load environments.

Location: Onsite (Hardware lab environment). U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.

Company

A fast-paced defense startup focused on developing and delivering advanced hypersonic strike systems.

What you will do

• Design and develop mechanical actuation systems, including elevon drive trains and control surface mechanisms.
• Lead the architecture and detailed design of gear trains, linkages, bearings, and structural components.
• Perform analysis of loads, stresses, deflections, and dynamic behavior for extreme flight environments.
• Collaborate with control electronics, GNC, avionics, and structures teams for vehicle system integration.
• Define and execute qualification plans, including vibration, thermal, and shock testing.
• Mentor junior engineers and optimize designs for mass, stiffness, and manufacturability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanism design and validation for aerospace or high-performance systems.
• Strong background in gear trains, actuation systems, and electromechanical actuators (EMAs).
• Proficiency in CAD and analysis tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or ANSYS.
• Experience with structural analysis, fatigue/life assessment, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government-issued security clearance.

Culture & Benefits

• Long-term equity sharing in the company's growth.
• Comprehensive health benefits, including 100% employee-covered medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Four weeks of paid time off and ten company-paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and a $100 monthly fitness stipend.
• Onsite perks including catered meals and EV charging.