Mechanical Engineer - Structural Analyst

The role

This person will perform structural, thermal, and vibration analysis for mechanical and optomechanical components. They will support development from concept through production and field deployment by working with CAD, FEA, and physical hardware.

What you will do

• Perform FEA for stress, thermal, vibration, and other environmental conditions.
• Develop detailed finite element models based on 3D CAD models or engineering drawings.
• Provide feedback to design engineering to optimize mechanical designs.
• Lead, design, and perform structural test campaigns.
• Participate in structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analyses and system-level verification.
• Develop and use test fixtures, procedures, and instrumentation.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate design decisions and risks.
• Collaborate with optics, electrical, manufacturing, quality, and test teams.
• Support fabrication, inspection, assembly, alignment, environmental testing, installation, and field deployment.
• Investigate manufacturing, test, and field issues to implement corrective design changes.

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.
• Working knowledge of mechanical analysis methods, including stress, thermal, tolerance, and vibration analysis.
• Experience with analysis software such as ANSYS, Nastran, SolidWorks Simulation, and similar.
• Knowledge of materials, fasteners, coatings, machining, fabrication methods, and mechanical assembly.
• 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 thermal analysis. Use of Thermal Desktop is strongly preferred.
• 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 structural analysis for automotive or aerospace environments.
• Experience with automotive and/or aerospace test campaigns and appropriate application of standards.
• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Equity Opportunities – 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
• Cutting-Edge Tools
• 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 enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.