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Principal Mechanical Engineer, Space Special Programs

Anduril· AFS : Space Engineering
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Hybrid (Chantilly, Virginia / Herndon, Virginia)$220k - $292kfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Principal Mechanical Engineer responsible for full-cycle design of spacecraft and associated systems, including requirements derivation, 3D CAD, structural/thermal/dynamic modelling, materials selection, fabrication supervision, assembly, test, debug, and integration. Focus on deployment mechanisms, spacecraft boxes/structures, pressure vessels, and MGSE for high-rate manufacturing in a space environment. Leads a mechanical engineering team and mentors others while contributing as an individual contributor.

Responsibilities

  • Derive requirements and perform full-cycle design for spacecraft and associated systems.
  • Create 3D CAD models and perform structural, thermal, dynamic analyses.
  • Select materials and supervise fabrication, initial assembly, testing, debugging, and system integration.
  • Design deployment mechanisms (antennas, solar panels) and related subsystems (boxes, structures, pressure vessels).
  • Develop and test MGSE for spacecraft integration, assembly, and testing in a high-rate manufacturing environment.
  • Lead and mentor the engineering team; develop system mechanical designs, techniques, and standards.
  • Conduct design reviews (peer-level and cross-discipline) and support root cause analysis in production operations.
  • Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple concurrent projects and customers.

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of professional experience in hardware product development, at least 5 designing space flight hardware
  • Basic understanding of PCB layout requirements for space flight mechanical and manufacturing needs
  • Experience in ground-up system design and 3D CAD
  • Hands-on assembly, prototyping, testing, and performance characterization of mechanisms designed for 0g in a 1g environment
  • Experience designing and building very small mechanisms, components, and systems
  • Familiarity with launch environments, testing for launch, range safety, and system integration efforts
  • Demonstrated creativity and out-of-the-box thinking for spacecraft mechanisms emphasizing simplicity and reliability
  • Understanding of NASA-GEVS (or equivalent) and spaceflight environmental testing
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work with others; strong ownership and autonomy across cradle-to-grave lifecycle
  • U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain U.S. Top Secret clearance
  • Preferred: experience designing, integrating, and flying CubeSats in LEO through GEO; 1+ year in a classified environment

Skills

Required:Mechanical design3D CADThermal and structural analysisMechanisms designAssembly, test, and integrationSystem engineering leadership

Benefits

  • Comprehensive, competitive benefits package available to full-time employees (health, recovery, and future support)
Last updated Sep 2, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Anduril

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Company profileWebsite

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