Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer

About the role

This role defines end-to-end mission concepts for lunar technologies and directly shapes the architectures of next generation landers, surface systems, and spacecraft. The Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer operates at the intersection of concept definition, early technology roadmapping, and hands on development for advanced programs.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

Location: Remote (Pittsburgh, PA;)

Engagement: Full-time

Compensation: $175,000 to $200,000

Team: Advanced Programs

Years: 10+

Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar related discipline

Visa: Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Must conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including ITAR and EAR, requiring a U.S. Person

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar related discipline plus 5-10 years of relevant engineering experience, with relevant advanced degree considered in lieu of equivalent experience.

Demonstrated experience developing complex mechanical systems at scale for space, defense, or national security applications.

Demonstrated experience conducting preliminary structural analysis of space systems to guide sizing and packaging.

Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: space system development, systems engineering, structure/thermal design and analysis, mechanical & fluid systems, and/or manufacturing processes.

Experience developing technical content for proposals and external customer presentations to clearly communicate solutions and value.

Experience authoring and decomposing mission and system-level requirements to ensure traceability and compliance.

Strong understanding of the launch, space, and lunar environments to inform design decisions and risk mitigation.

Nice to have

Understanding of full end-to-end mission solutions to connect requirements with feasible architectures.

Experience with mission architecture development to frame system-level solutions.

Demonstrated experience writing and reviewing software scripts for automation and analysis to support engineering workflows.

Knowledge of NASA/industry engineering standards to ensure compliance and best practices.

Demonstrated experience working in an agile environment, using organizational tools such as Confluence and Jira for tracking progress and artifacts.

Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance and meet U.S. Government export regulations, including ITAR and EAR, as a U.S. Person.

Skills & tools

Advanced CAD tools for spacecraft-level vehicle configuration, structural analysis, packaging, and sizing.

Analysis methods for system-level performance, including structural, deployment, and terramechanics assessments.

Scripting or software tools for automation and analysis in engineering workflows.

Collaboration platforms such as Confluence and Jira for agile execution and documentation.

Practical notes

U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected individual status is required to meet ITAR/EAR export control requirements.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

The role focuses on lunar technologies, including landers, rovers, and surface power systems.

Mechanical systems span structures, mechanisms, thermal management, and fluid systems for space environments.

The team uses CAD, analysis tools, and scripting to evaluate concepts and trades.