Senior Launch Mechanical Engineer

About the Team:

The Launch team operates at the intersection of every major aspect of Terran R, from stages and payloads to ground systems, launch, landing, and refurbishment. The Cape is the only place where you see it all come together, offering a level of exposure and responsibility unmatched elsewhere in the program. This is where first flights happen, where history is built on top of history, and where the scale of what's underway is unlike anything in modern aerospace. The mission stays the same, but the work evolves with every milestone: from first launch to reuse, high-cadence operations, and beyond. If you're looking to define what's next in space launch and write a new playbook, not just repeat what’s already been done, this is where it happens.

 About the role:

• Lead and contribute to the design, analysis, and development of complex mechanical systems from concept to deployment.
• Create detailed 3D models and engineering drawings using CAD software.
• Perform structural analysis using hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, testing, and systems engineering.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to solve challenging problems independently.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards and best practices in design documentation, including GD&T.
• Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities while maintaining high-quality deliverables.

About you: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in a full-cycle design engineering role.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., NX, Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Demonstrated experience managing complex mechanical designs from concept through activation.
• Strong understanding of First Principles and structural analysis methods, including hand calculations and FEA.
• Experience with motion control mechanisms and over-center rotating devices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Proficiency in creating detailed engineering drawings using GD&T.

Nice to haves but not required: 

• 6+ years of experience in a design engineering role.
• Experience working with AFSPCMAN 91-710.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Air Force (USAF), or NASA projects.
• Background in the aerospace or launch vehicle (rocket) industry.
• Extensive experience with Siemens NX.
• Proficiency with FEA software such as ANSYS or FEMAP.
• Experience supporting Launch Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operations.
• Experience with large-scale steel or aluminum structures.
• Experience designing mechanical mechanisms and assemblies.
• Experience reviewing engineering drawings and checking for GD&T accuracy.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards including:
• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 360
• American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318
• American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1
• ASTM, ASME, NASA, DoD, NFPA, API, SAE standards

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.