Senior Mechanical Engineer

AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Staff Senior Mechanical Engineer – Space Electronic Equipment to join our Satellite Mechanical Subsystem & Payload team, with a focus on the mechanical design of electronic equipment for space applications, including electronic units, boxes, and payload electronics. The successful candidate will contribute to design, analysis, specification, testing, and validation activities. The ideal candidate will be innovative, creative, and willing to challenge the status quo, while being capable of working both autonomously and as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the mechanical design and modelling of space electronic equipment, including housings, PCB mounting and stiffening, connectors and harness interfaces, thermal interfaces, shielding, and grounding provisions.
• Define mechanical and thermal interfaces with the structure, thermal control, electrical, and RF teams; prepare preliminary designs including layouts, trade-offs, materials, processes, and testing requirements.
• Develop and maintain mechanical design documentation, manufacturing drawings, interface control drawings, test procedures, and tooling for vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and assembly activities.
• Provide technical support to AIT activities, including fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of electronic units, as well as support to suppliers during manufacturing and qualification.
• Ensure designs meet technical requirements related to launch loads, thermal environments, vacuum, and radiation, supporting structural and thermal decisions and engineering trade-offs to identify the most suitable architectures.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Higher degree preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in the mechanical design of electronic equipment for space applications or equivalent high-reliability industries such as aerospace or defense.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using CAD software (Inventor preferred).
• Knowledge of space environment requirements and materials/process selection, including outgassing and ECSS or NASA standards.
• Knowledge of electronic packaging, thermal management of electronics, and EMC-related mechanical design.
• Experience using PDM and PLM software.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Technical skills in FEM computer methods using standard analytical tools and classical structural analysis methods.

Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to lead small teams while managing assignments autonomously.
• Innovative and creative mindset with the ability to challenge the status quo.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Technology Stack:

• CAD software (Inventor preferred).
• PDM software.
• PLM software.
• FEM and structural analysis tools.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods.

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.