Principal Mechanical Designer - Spacecraft Programs

Quantum Space • Rockville, MD

1d • $131,000 - $167,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Quantum Space is transforming how humanity operates in space through highly maneuverable, long-duration spacecraft. We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Designer to own the detailed CAD design execution and configuration quality of flight hardware across our Spacecraft Programs.

This is a high-impact, hands-on design leadership role for someone who can take ambiguous spacecraft packaging constraints and translate them into clean, producible, testable hardware—then shepherd that design through release, build, integration, and test. You will partner daily with mechanical/structures/thermal engineers, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and systems to deliver flight-ready mechanical assemblies for Ranger spacecraft.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent demonstrable work products in spacecraft/aerospace design)
• 10+ years of professional mechanical design experience in aerospace/spacecraft or similarly high-rigor hardware environments
• Expert proficiency in PTC Creo (top-down design, skeletons, family tables, interface control via publish geometry, large-assembly performance discipline)
• Strong working knowledge of Windchill release workflows and configuration control best practices
• Deep experience applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and translating intent into inspectable drawings
• Proven ability to design for manufacturability across common aerospace processes (machining, sheet metal, additive where appropriate, bonding, inserts/Heli-Coils, surface finishes)
• High ownership: you don’t just “model parts”—you drive closure through release, build, and test
• Work location within the Washington DC / Maryland / Virginia (DMV) area
• To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Spacecraft or launch vehicle flight hardware design experience
• Direct experience supporting AIT on the floor (MRB disposition support, as-built capture, redline control)
• Familiarity with contamination control, torque practices, workmanship standards, and aerospace fastener conventions
• Experience with mechanism packaging and clearance validation

Responsibilities

• Own detailed mechanical CAD for spacecraft structures, mechanisms, secondary structure, brackets, harness routing accommodations, and payload mounting features
• Build and maintain large top-level Creo assemblies with strong configuration discipline: envelopes, mass properties, interference control, motion/clearance checks, access constraints, and fastener strategy
• Drive spacecraft packaging execution: volume optimization, keep-outs, service loops, access for torque/inspection, tool clearance, contamination control considerations, and integration sequence-friendly design
• Create, check, and release flight drawings (and drawing packages) with correct GD&T, material callouts, finishes, treatments, and inspection requirements (ASME Y14.5 mindset)
• Own BOM accuracy and part metadata integrity in Windchill (part lifecycle, revisioning, effectivity, serialization strategy where applicable)
• Partner with AIT to ensure designs are buildable and testable: torque access, alignment features, witness marks, datum strategy, handling points, lifting features, GSE interfaces
• Support on-site spacecraft integration: fit checks, rework disposition support, redlines-to-release, and fast iteration during build anomalies
• Provide design leadership and mentorship: define “good” CAD practices, model tree hygiene, drawing standards, and release readiness checklists
• Produce design content for PDR/CDR/production readiness reviews, including configuration views, interface snapshots, tolerance stack summaries, and assembly sequences

Benefits

• Ownership – Be the design authority driving configuration quality on flight builds
• Impact – Your CAD decisions will ship to orbit
• Growth – Lead design execution standards across spacecraft programs
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level