Satellite Mechanical Engineer

ABOUT XPLORE

The new technology frontier is rapidly expanding – and Xplore is pushing the boundaries and accelerating growth with new capabilities to transform industries with insights from space. Xplore is building a first-of-its-kind multi-sensor low Earth orbit satellite constellation designed to deliver a new class of innovative and affordable data products for Earth observation, space domain awareness, and astronomy.

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Xplore is currently recruiting innovative space hardware, software, sensors, processing and data technology professionals to be part of an exciting and rapidly growing company. Xplore offers market competitive compensation and benefits for our employees who enjoy working in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging, fun, value-based collaborative environment.

Xplore is a venture-backed space technology startup based in Redmond, WA. We provide proprietary sensor-captured data from space that enables our customer’s insights, intelligence, inspiration, and discovery of our planet and the solar system for commercial, government, defense, NGO, and research applications. We’re doing something that few other companies are even thinking about – creating the next model of space data infrastructure.

Xplore is an equal opportunity employer; employment with Xplore is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Xplore participates in E-Verify. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired must be a current U.S. citizen or current lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

POSITION

Satellite Mechanical Engineer

Xplore is hiring this Satellite Mechanical Engineer to spearhead the design and build of numerous structures, assemblies, and components for Xplore spacecraft development programs. The successful candidate will exhibit versatility in design and experience with actual spaceflight hardware mechanical elements including flight and ground hardware.

This individual will support the design of elements through the full design lifecycle – from concept, fabrication, assembly and flight. The successful candidate will exhibit versatility in design and experience with actual spaceflight hardware. The Satellite Mechanical Engineer will work across Xplore teams to support Xplore spacecraft development programs and business development efforts.

Work will be performed at Xplore in Redmond, Washington.

This role will report to the Chief Engineer of Satellite Programs with some work that may support payload or business development as required.

As an Xplore Satellite Flight Software Engineer, you will help to shape the future of space exploration, working with an exceptional team that is passionate about creating revolutionary technology.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the component, subsystem, and assembly design of flight spacecraft.
• Create component and assembly drawings for all hardware, including flight harnesses using industry standard GD&T practices, per ASME standards.
• Assist in integrating all components and assemblies onto the spacecraft.
• Support component-level to full assembly mechanical testing of flight and ground support hardware.
• As necessary, develop engineering tools required to complete tasks.
• Support payload and sensor accommodation trade studies, including placement of payload CAD models within spacecraft payload volume and reconfiguration of the spacecraft bus components.
• Support business development efforts to grow the Xplore business and ensure the platform maintains a cutting-edge status.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• All persons hired must be a current U.S. citizen or current lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from in Mechanical Engineering or similar field with 5+ years of relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical design and drafting per ASME standards, particularly ASME Y14.5-2018 and ASME Y14.1-2020.
• Demonstrated Expertise using CAD tools, particularly SolidWorks, to design components, subassemblies, and full spacecraft systems.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining Product Data Management software and practices, as well as other configuration control tools.
• Demonstrated experience initiating procurement and interface with component supply chain partners
• Demonstrated experience leading bolted joint analyses to inform appropriate design margins for primary and secondary structures.
• Demonstrated E\experience with the design and application of mechanical ground support equipment, particularly designed per AFSPCMAN 91-710.

Desired SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Ability to perform structural and thermal analysis of mechanical components and assemblies (Ansys Workbench, NX Nastran, or Thermal Desktop).
• Ability to communicate technical information, challenges, and guidance to varied audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
• Ability to work on own initiative and prioritize tasks to align with business goals and objectives.
• Ability to plan for component or assembly-level mechanical testing, this could be limited to component level environmental testing, or preferably experience at the full spacecraft level executing entire test plans to include accelerometer placement and closed loop table control.

The top 4-6 measurable priorities to be accomplished in the first 6 months:

Deliver an assessment of the spacecraft mechanical design along with any recommendations for design improvements to be implemented.

Support component selection and design of spacecraft flight harnesses, including routing, tie-down, and sizing, etc.

Draft and deliver part and assembly drawing package, including flight harnesses.

Support drafting subassembly and full assembly integration procedures.

Compensation

Xplore has needs for multiple Satellite Flight Software Engineers. The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,000 - $140,000 per year based upon level of experience. Xplore has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States when the role is remote. This allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills.

The Recruitment Process

Xplore has retained Boxwood to conduct a different kind of recruitment. We have selected Boxwood because we are believers in Boxwood’s unique approach to candidate selection and qualification. While this process is different, we feel that it genuinely offers both candidates and the company the best opportunity to get to know each other at a deeper level than is typical with the conventional interview approach.

Please click for a short video on the Boxwood Process.

Benefits

Health Care Plan
Employees (and their families) can be covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The HSA qualified plan is for full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week.

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Full time employees earn PTO at a rate of 1.33 days per month. There are a minimum of 13 paid holidays each year for full-time employees.

Stock Option Plan

The company offers an equity incentive plan for qualified full-time employees.

EEO/ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Xplore is an equal opportunity employer; employment with Xplore is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This employer participates in E-Verify. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired will be required to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.