Senior Mechanical Engineer

About the role

Join a growing team to engineer precision mechanical and optomechanical systems for telescopes and related equipment. This role involves working with a diverse group of engineers to create observatory-grade systems for ground-based and future space-based applications. You will contribute to the full product lifecycle, from initial concepts to final production.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and refine mechanical and optomechanical parts, such as telescope tubes, mounts, enclosures, and optical supports.
• Produce detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and bills of materials.
• Perform FEA simulations for stress, thermal, and vibration analysis.
• Collaborate with optical and software teams to ensure mechanical compatibility with imaging, tracking, and sensing subsystems.
• Support the entire product lifecycle, from concept and prototyping through testing and production.
• Participate in and contribute to design reviews and internal documentation.
• Provide engineering support during fabrication, quality control, assembly, and system validation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of experience in a Mechanical Engineering role within Aerospace, Automotive, or a similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of CAD tools like SolidWorks or NX.
• Understanding of FEA software such as ANSYS or Nastran, tolerance analysis, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Practical experience with fabrication, machining, welding, drilling, or mechanical assembly.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
• Demonstrated interest in aerospace or observational technologies.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of materials, fasteners, coatings, and alignment methods.
• Understanding of system engineering workflows, interface control documents, and verification processes.
• Basic scripting or automation skills using Python or MATLAB for design or test workflows.

Skills & tools

• SolidWorks
• NX
• ANSYS
• Nastran
• Python
• MATLAB

Practical notes

This is an on-site role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the Los Angeles office. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid premiums for employees, unlimited PTO, and access to the latest hardware and software.