Lead mechanical design for phased-array satellite antennas and payloads across full lifecycle: requirements, architecture trades, analysis, CAD, thermal and electronics packaging, mechanisms, manufacturing, testing, qualification, and in-orbit support. Prepare design review materials, support proposals, and communicate with customers and leadership.
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are looking to add a Senior Mechanical Engineer I to our Mechanical Engineering team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing space hardware for leading-edge communications satellites, we would like to hear from you.
In this position, you will be responsible for mechanical design aspects of Cesium phased array antennas, subsystems, and interfaces through all phases of the development process. The ideal candidate will be versatile and proficient in mechanical analysis, electronics packaging, computer-aided design (CAD), mechanical interfaces, thermal architecture, spacecraft propulsion, deployable and actuated structures, and environmental qualification of spacecraft antennas and payloads. You will be responsible for mechanical designs from concept through space flight including requirements definition, architecture trades and block diagrams, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, and in-orbit support.
The successful candidate will also present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited university or institution
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in space antenna and payload mechanical engineering to include electronics packaging, thermal, shock, vibration, stress dynamics, and cost. A Master's degree may count as two years of experience.
- Experience in conducting architectural trade studies including parametric and first-order cost and physical analysis
- Experience with professional mechanical and FEA CAD tools, such as Ansys Mechanical, SolidWorks Simulation, and Thermal Desktop
- Experience with CNC manufacturing and GD&T
- Experience with advanced aerospace manufacturing and materials including sandwich panels and carbon composites, OR experience with high-reliability deployment mechanisms for space applications (including deployment, HDRMs, power delivery, etc.).
- Proficiency in detailed mechanical design (3D CAD, drawings, etc.)
- Experience designing and manufacturing mechanisms and mechanical actuators
- Experience with EMI/EMC mitigation techniques
- Familiarity with satellite thermal architectures including heat pipes, phase change materials, contact resistance, and surface finishes as well as fundamental understandings of orbital thermal control in a LEO environment.
- Familiarity with launch and LEO environments (thermal, shock, vibe, radiation, etc)
- Familiarity with design for test, manufacturability, assembly, and reliability
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Python, C++, or other programming languages
- Experience with large, deployable antenna arrays which drive your vision for the next generation of on-orbit communications and sensor arrays.
- Robotics and control systems experience
- PCBA experience.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
CesiumAstro Austin, Texas, USA Office
13215 Bee Cave Pkwy, Austin, TX, United States, 78738
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Hardware • Software • Defense
Design and support mechanical aspects of phased-array satellite antennas from concept through flight: requirements definition, trades, CAD/FEA, thermal and structural analysis, electronics packaging, manufacturing, testing, qualification, and customer/executive design reviews. Participate in proposals and provide in-orbit support.
Top Skills:
3D CadAnsys MechanicalCarbon CompositesCnc ManufacturingContact ResistanceDeployable MechanismsEmi/Emc MitigationFeaGd&THdrmsHeat PipesMechanical ActuatorsPhase Change MaterialsSandwich PanelsSolidworks SimulationThermal Desktop
Cloud • Information Technology • Machine Learning
Design, develop, and deliver multi-modal technical learning programs for engineering/product teams at the Sunnyvale hub. Lead needs analysis, partner with technical SMEs and leaders, manage programs end-to-end, create facilitator guides and materials, facilitate sessions, define evaluation frameworks, and continuously improve technical development practice across sites.
Top Skills:
AIAi ToolsArticulateCloud InfrastructureGpu ComputingLmsMachine LearningRiseVirtual Facilitation Platforms
Cloud • Information Technology • Machine Learning
Implement and enforce physical security standards for CoreWeave data centers. Manage access policies and requests, perform inspections and audits, lead incident investigations, create and deliver security training, liaise with colocation partners and customers, and track remediation of findings. Role requires up to 25% travel and ongoing documentation, reporting, and process improvement.
Top Skills:
AxisComputer NetworkingGenetecGoogle WorkspacemacOSWindows
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center

