Octagon Talent Solutions is a full-service technology recruitment and staffing company based in South Florida. We humanize technical recruitment by identifying candidates' long-term career goals and assessing cultural fit when presenting opportunities. Our focus on long-term relationships helps ensure placements that last.
Job Overview
Our client is building satellites that deploy AI servers in space to deliver scalable AI inference in orbit, an “orbital data center,” approach that unlocks dramatically more solar power than on Earth. This founding-level opportunity is ideal for a Mechanical & Structural Engineer who wants full ownership of spacecraft primary structure and deployable mechanisms while working hands-on with contract manufacturers. The role is fully on-site in Los Angeles, five days per week, with meaningful impact on a pathfinder mission targeted for 2027.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end mechanical and structural design, from early architecture through detailed design, release, and build support
- Lead structural analysis and verification (FEA modeling, static loads, modal, random vibration, fatigue) and drive design tradeoffs for mass, stiffness, and manufacturability
- Design and mature deployables at scale (solar arrays, radiator mechanisms, booms/antennas), ensuring reliable deployment and survivability through launch vibration loads
- Partner closely with contract manufacturers and suppliers: daily technical syncs, DFM reviews, tooling, build planning, and nonconformance resolution
- Translate the infrastructure mission and spacecraft requirements into clear interfaces, requirements, and execution plans for manufacturing partners
- Define mechanical/structural requirements, interfaces, and test plans across subsystems, coordinating closely with the founding engineer focused on thermal/power
- Drive materials selections and shielding approaches (aluminum, titanium, composites/CFRP; radiation hardening considerations for GPU payload shielding) while balancing thermal performance and mass
- Own troubleshooting and test execution in a fast-moving environment—ideate, prototype, and validate quickly; document decisions and outcomes clearly
Requirements
- 10+ years of spacecraft mechanical and/or structural engineering experience is strongly preferred (5+ years minimum), including flight hardware experience on launched spacecraft (not just academic projects)
- Deep specialization in mechanical/structural engineering (avoid primarily systems engineering backgrounds), with a strong record of ownership and delivery
- Proficiency with structural analysis methods and tools such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, or ABAQUS (or equivalent), including launch-load environments
- Experience designing, analyzing, and/or qualifying deployable spacecraft structures (solar arrays, radiator mechanisms, booms, antennas, hinges, latches, etc.)
- Strong fundamentals in structures and materials (aluminum, titanium, composites/CFRP), joints/fasteners, and manufacturing processes; comfort collaborating with vendors/fabricators
- Ability to work effectively in a small, engineering-led, low-ego team with high autonomy, clear communication, and strong engineering judgment
- U.S. citizenship required due to the nature of the work (limited case-by-case exceptions possible)
- Able to work fully on-site in Los Angeles, CA five days per week (relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates)
Preferred / Nice to have
- Constellation-scale experience (Kuiper-class, Starlink-class, etc.)—highly preferred given the field’s esoteric nature
- Blend of big aerospace and high-velocity startup experience (e.g., Lockheed/Northrop + Kuiper/Vast/Relativity-style environments)
- Strong academic pedigree (top-tier space structures / mechanical programs)
- Direct experience with spacecraft environmental testing (vibration, TVAC), test planning, qualification/acceptance documentation
- CAD proficiency (any major tool) and comfort collaborating across design, analysis, and manufacturing workflows
Tech stack (tools & domains):
ABAQUS / ANSYS / NASTRAN • Structural FEA • Modal analysis • Launch loads & vibration • CAD • Deployable mechanisms • CFRP, Aluminum, Titanium • Spacecraft structures