Senior/Lead Mechanical Engineer

Come join us in shaping the future! Get in on the ground floor as an early member of our Mechanical team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. This role offers the chance to combine hands-on engineering with in-depth structural analysis to ensure our spacecraft thrive in the extreme space environment. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it.

AscendArc is a seed stage startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground-breaking and fast-paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, development, and validation of spacecraft mechanical systems, including structures, mechanisms, and thermal hardware
• Perform structural analysis using FEA to evaluate stiffness, strength, vibration modes, and margins of safety.
• Collaborate with immediate and cross-functional teams to define mechanical interfaces and support system integration
• Develop CAD models, detailed drawings, and documentation to support manufacturing, assembly, and testing
• Support environmental and functional testing efforts (e.g., vibration, thermal, deployment), including test setup and data collection
• Participate in design reviews and help identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development cycle
• Assist in hands-on prototyping, hardware builds, and integration activities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of experience designing and testing complex mechanical systems in the aerospace industry
• Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and engineering analysis tools (FEA, thermal, tolerance analysis)
• Demonstrated experience with full product lifecycle: from early prototyping through flight hardware delivery
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across disciplines and with external partners

Who We’re Looking For

We’re searching for exceptional talent. We value high-caliber individuals with the drive and creativity to help launch Oregon’s first commercial communications satellite.

We’re looking for people who:

• Thrive in a cradle-to-grave design environment and take ownership from concept through launch.
• Bring energy, curiosity, and a responsible engineering mindset.
• Want to work alongside other exceptional people in an environment where great ideas rise to the top.

Base Salary

The base salary range for this position is $120,000-190,000/year. When determining an individual’s compensation, we consider several factors including skillset, experience, job scope, and current market data, so pay for this role may vary from the amounts listed.