Mechanisms Manufacturing Engineer

The Role

Partnering with Mechanisms Engineering team early in the process, you will ensure manufacturability, build the first prototype, design the build flow and fixturing, and finalize the process for transition to production. Once transitioned, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact scaling production to meet K2’s ever-growing demand. You will test out new techniques for manufacturing complex mechanisms such as rotational actuators, separation mechanisms, gimbals, reaction wheel assemblies, among other electromechanical assemblies. In your first 6 months you will develop manufacturing methods and tooling for the mechanisms, define manufacturing flows for mechanisms subsystems, build test articles to support the Mechanisms Engineering team’s development and qualification test campaigns, and collaborate with them to provide Design-for-Excellence (DFX) guidance across mechanisms, machined components, and higher-level assemblies. In your first year you will implement these advanced manufacturing techniques on flight hardware and transition the technology you develop to high-rate production.

Responsibilities

• Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams with mechanical design engineers to ensure design guidance for initial design, flight hardware, and tooling
• Develop innovative manufacturing systems for large spacecraft mechanisms, including electromechanical sub-assemblies, harnessing, welded/bolted structures, and mechanisms
• Create custom tools and processes to support the manufacturing technologies you create including Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software
• Demonstrate the advanced manufacturing techniques on prototypes, working with the design teams to improve the manufacturability of the designs
• Develop the subassembly build flow and iterate to create an efficient production flow for the satellite
• Partner with a team of advanced manufacturing engineers to perform R&D of novel manufacturing technologies for current and future spacecraft products
• Build test articles and support the Mechanisms Engineering team’s development and qualification test campaigns, iterating on hardware and processes as test results come in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience in a high volume, rapid production environment in a manufacturing, integration, and/or design engineering role
• Experience with mechanisms-specific industry standards such as NASA-STD-5017 (Design and Development Requirements for Mechanisms) and AIAA S-114 (Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch Vehicles), as well as familiarity with the environmental qualification standards (SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000)
• Experience providing design-for-excellence (DFX) guidance to design teams across mechanisms, machined components, and mechanical assemblies
• Demonstrated results with product development and/or process improvements
• Experience setting up a manufacturing/production floor for first article builds
• Experience designing and implementing technologies for mechanisms manufacturing including wire harness manufacturing and complex mechanical assembly
• Experience with GD&T and mechanical assembly drawings, with the ability to review and provide feedback on electrical and mechanical designs

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with precision bearing standards (e.g., ABMA) and bearing preload techniques and measurement, as used in rotational actuators, gimbals, and reaction wheel assemblies
• Experience designing tooling for mechanical subassemblies and electromechanical subassemblies
• Experience designing hardware for manufacturability
• Demonstrated experience developing production processes from the ground up including driving design improvements for manufacturing
• Experience working closely with technicians and building tooling
• Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards such as torque specifications, welding standards, and quality assurance standards
• Familiarity with CAD software (NX or equivalent)
• Experience working with MES to set up the foundation for procedure creation and documenting non-conformance
• Some Experience with wire harness manufacturing and integration

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 – $140,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks