Mechanical Engineer

About the role

Join the construction and infrastructure team to design and maintain the advanced manufacturing facilities required to make humanity multiplanetary. You will serve as the primary technical authority for fluid and HVAC systems at the Hawthorne headquarters. In this capacity, you will act as the central technical expert responsible for the integrity and performance of critical support systems. You will translate high-level program demands into precise engineering solutions for complex mechanical infrastructure. The role requires deep analytical thinking to solve problems before they impact production schedules. You will be expected to challenge existing designs to find more reliable and efficient alternatives. Success in this position means ensuring that the physical plant never becomes a bottleneck for manufacturing. Your work will directly enable the teams building the vehicles that explore and colonize other worlds.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Oversee the management and maintenance of all fluid and HVAC components, including pumps, compressors, valves, heat exchangers, and dust collection systems, to ensure continuous operational readiness.
• Generate CAD models and detailed designs for facility fluid systems, establishing the foundational digital representation for all mechanical infrastructure.
• Perform in-depth fluid analysis to determine consumables requirements, establish component design limits, and verify pressure balances across complex networks.
• Act as the primary liaison with production, avionics, GNC, and mission operations teams to verify that mechanical systems consistently meet stringent program requirements.
• Lead the oversight of material selection, procurement specifications, and hardware sizing to guarantee fitness for purpose and long-term reliability.
• Champion design reliability and optimization for manufacturing, implementing strategies that reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and unplanned downtime.
• Drive the application of GD&T standards to ensure parts are both functional and manufacturable within the demanding environment of aerospace production.
• Utilize advanced fluid analysis to predict system behavior and prevent potential failures in critical life support and process infrastructure.
• Conduct structural evaluations of mechanical hardware to confirm integrity under operational loads and environmental conditions.
• Collaborate with test teams to validate designs through data acquisition and instrumentation, ensuring real-world performance matches projections.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of mechanical components, from initial concept through procurement and final installation.
• Apply expertise in HVAC and air ducting principles to maintain clean, temperature-controlled environments essential for sensitive engineering work.
• Leverage proficiency with test instruments and control components like thermocouples, relays, and pressure transducers to monitor system health.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR regulations by verifying that all documentation and technical data are handled according to U.S. citizenship and residency requirements.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Possess a minimum 1 year of professional experience with fluid components such as valves, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, COPVs, or sensors.
• Demonstrate the ability to work weekends and extended hours as required to meet critical project deadlines.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Capability to pass rigorous background checks associated with sensitive aerospace and infrastructure projects.
• Willingness to adhere to strict safety protocols in a high-tech manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to maintaining detailed records of all engineering activities and decisions.
• Readiness to travel domestically as needed for project coordination and system commissioning.

Nice to have

• Hold a Master degree in an engineering discipline.
• Possess practical experience with gas or liquid handling systems.
• Demonstrate proficiency with test instrumentation, data acquisition, and control components like thermocouples, relays, and pressure transducers.
• Have a background in HVAC systems and air ducting.
• Show expertise in NX or similar CAD software with application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5-1994 and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Understand structural analysis for hardware optimization, life evaluation, and fracture assessment.
• Have experience working with pressurized or lightweight aerospace structures.
• Proven ability to manage projects independently from conception to completion.

Practical notes

• Salary Level I: $100,000 to $117,500 per year.
• Salary Level II: $115,000 to $140,000 per year.
• Total rewards include company stock, stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), life insurance, disability insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays.