Mechanical Engineer

The role

You will design, analyze, build, and support mechanical and optomechanical systems from concept through production and field deployment. This hands-on role involves working with CAD, prototype fabrication, assembly, testing, and field installations.

What you will do

• Design and optimize mechanical and optomechanical components and subsystems.
• Develop 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.
• Apply design practices for manufacturability, assembly, testing, reliability, and serviceability.
• Build, assemble, align, test, and troubleshoot prototypes and production hardware.
• Work with technicians, machinists, assemblers, suppliers, and engineers to resolve issues.
• Perform engineering calculations and tolerance analyses.
• Conduct or support FEA for stress, thermal, vibration, and other environmental conditions.
• Participate in structural-thermal-optical performance analyses and system-level verification.
• Develop and use test fixtures, procedures, and instrumentation.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate design decisions and risks.

Required qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of relevant engineering experience in aerospace, optics, robotics, automation, precision equipment, or similar industries.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or similar.
• Experience creating production-ready engineering drawings and bills of materials.
• Working knowledge of mechanical analysis methods, including stress, thermal, tolerance, and vibration analysis.
• Experience with FEA software such as ANSYS, Nastran, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar.
• Knowledge of materials, fasteners, coatings, machining, fabrication methods, and mechanical assembly.
• Understanding of design for manufacturability, assembly, and test.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience assembling, testing, troubleshooting, or supporting mechanical hardware.
• Willingness and ability to work directly with prototypes and production equipment in laboratory, manufacturing, and field environments.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Nice to have

• Experience with telescope systems, astronomical instrumentation, optical equipment, or optomechanical systems.
• Familiarity with optical mounts, flexures, precision mechanisms, alignment methods, and alignment tooling.
• Experience with thermal design for outdoor, aerospace, or space environments.
• Familiarity with athermal design principles and structural-thermal-optical performance analysis.
• Experience with tolerance stack-ups, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and precision mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with engineering requirements, interface control documents, verification planning, and design reviews.
• Basic scripting or automation experience using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Experience working within ISO 9001, AS9100, or comparable quality systems.
• Experience coordinating with machine shops, fabrication vendors, and component suppliers.
• Familiarity with environmental testing, including thermal, vibration, shock, or ingress-protection testing.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Equity Opportunities with stock options
• Flexible Work Environment
• Unlimited PTO (Salaried positions only)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer
• Access to latest hardware and software
• Mission-Driven Culture
• Inclusive Team

About the company

Observable Space is a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. They deliver foundational systems for navigation, observation, and communication in space.