Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer (Docking, Capture, and Mating Systems)

About the role

Rendezvous Robotics, a small team in Golden, Colorado, designs electromagnetic self-assembling tiles so that spacecraft can be larger and more powerful than anything that can be folded into a rocket fairing. It is looking for a mid to senior level Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer to own the design, analysis and testing of docking, capture and mating systems used for in-space assembly of self-assembling satellites. The role covers hardware from concept through qualification, production and on-orbit operation, and is full-time and on-site in the Denver metro area.

Key responsibilities

• Own docking latch design, including capture envelope, misalignment tolerance, latch preload and structural performance of the mated joint.
• Own the mating electrical interface, including connector design or selection, mounting, mate and de-mate forces, contact wear, cycle life and scoop-proofing.
• Own the alignment budget, allocating tolerance across approach conditions, manufacturing tolerances and mechanism compliance.
• Analyze differential thermal expansion and load transfer across the mated joint, and design for contamination, debris and wear tolerance.
• Perform structural analysis of the mechanism and joint, including modal, quasi-static and random vibration.
• Develop test plans and support life, wear, vibration, shock and thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaigns, including cycle counts, accelerated test methods and instrumentation.
• Select materials, coatings and lubricants for repeated mating in vacuum, and engage suppliers and support fabrication.
• Produce and check detailed drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 4+ years of spacecraft or satellite mechanism design experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing spaceflight hardware that has flown or completed flight qualification.
• Experience with repeated-contact, cyclic-operation mechanisms such as latches, docking, capture and mating interfaces.
• Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis and with connector/contact interfaces where mate reliability was critical.
• Hands-on mechanism development, assembly and test experience.

Required skills

• Structural finite element analysis (modal, quasi-static and random vibration)
• 3D CAD, detailed drawings, tolerance stack-ups and GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Solid understanding of spaceflight materials, hardware and fabrication techniques
• Ability to communicate across engineering disciplines

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, robotic interfaces or ISAM vehicles
• Familiarity with vacuum tribology, statistical tolerance analysis (Monte Carlo, RSS), NASA-STD-5017, NASA-STD-5020 and GEVS
• Onshape (SolidWorks, NX or Creo also valued); industry-standard FEA tools (Nastran/Femap, ANSYS, Abaqus)
• Python or MATLAB, design lifecycle and configuration management systems, hands-on R&D and startup hardware experience

What we offer

• Salary of $110,000 to $140,000 for engineers and $140,000 to $170,000 for senior engineers, depending on level, knowledge, education and experience
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options
• Medical, vision and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, life insurance and paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10 or more paid holidays per year

To comply with ITAR, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.