Staff Avionics Mechanical Engineer

About the Team: 

The Interplanetary Sciences Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed, built, and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration, we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge, broadens participation, and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role:

As a Staff Avionics Mechanical Engineer, you will own the design, development, and delivery of all mechanical hardware supporting our next-generation space science avionics platforms. This includes enclosures, mounting structures, thermal accommodations, and interfaces to spacecraft systems. You will be responsible for ensuring the delivered Avionics can survive launch and space environments, and for solving complex thermal and structural challenges in tight, mass-efficient packaging.

This is a hands-on role for a self-driven engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, prototype-heavy environment. You’ll work from first principles to rapidly iterate on designs, perform analysis and testing, and lead the delivery of flight-ready avionics mechanical systems.  

About You:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical design, packaging, or thermal management for aerospace or ruggedized electronic systems
• Proven ability to deliver mechanical systems from concept through qualification and flight
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent) and analysis tools for structural and thermal performance
• Hands-on experience building, testing, and debugging hardware in a lab environment
• Strong communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, rapidly iterating team environment

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Familiarity with NASA or other spaceflight structural verification standards, environmental testing and qualification
• Experience designing mechanical systems for spaceflight avionics or payloads
• Experience with high-density electronics cooling (conduction, heat pipes, cold plates)
• Knowledge of materials and processes for vacuum and radiation environments