Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Integration
Gravitics · Gravitics designs and manufactures essential space infrastructure
$140K–$180KGreater Seattle Area, Greater Denver Area11-50 employeesPosted 18 days ago
Venture - Series Unknown · $29Mraised 37 days agoled by Gaingels, Draper Associates, Manhattan West
This board only lists companies whose most recent round closed in the last 180 days.
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About Gravitics</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">At Gravitics, we're not just exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture the large-scale structures and systems that will power human and robotic activity in Earth orbit and beyond. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future, together. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About the Role</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">To build our space systems, we need an exceptional engineer to own cargo integration from initial vehicle layout through flight hardware and mission operations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You will lead a team responsible for developing the cargo architecture and initial layout for a clean-sheet spacecraft, including both internally and externally mounted cargo. This includes powered and passive cargo, vehicle-level packaging and interface definition, and the detailed secondary structure required to secure and support cargo throughout the mission.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This is a highly cross-functional role. You will work across vehicle configuration, structures, avionics, thermal, operations, manufacturing, and mission teams to balance competing requirements and develop an integrated cargo solution. You will own the system from early trades and layout through detailed design, analysis, test, manufacturing, vehicle integration, and ultimately mission support.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Lead the development of the vehicle's cargo architecture and layout, including internally and externally mounted powered and passive cargo.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Own cargo packaging and integration trades, balancing volume, mass, center of gravity, accessibility, structural load paths, thermal constraints, electrical interfaces, crew/operational considerations, and vehicle-level requirements.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Define and manage cargo mechanical interfaces, keep-out zones, mounting provisions, and secondary structure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Lead a small engineering team through cargo layout, trade studies, detailed design, analysis, and hardware delivery.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Work closely with vehicle configuration and other subsystem teams to resolve integration conflicts and drive the overall vehicle design toward closure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Design secondary structures, brackets, restraints, mounting provisions, and other hardware required to integrate cargo with the vehicle.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Apply first-order hand calculations and empirical methods to rapidly assess concepts, understand load paths, and iterate designs.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Build and evaluate finite element models to assess structural performance and demonstrate compliance with vehicle requirements.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Design for relevant environments including pressure, acceleration, vibration, shock, thermal loading, and launch/landing loads.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Create detailed component and assembly drawings with appropriate application of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing requirements.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop structural and integration test plans, support test execution, evaluate results, and generate verification reports.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Work directly with suppliers and internal manufacturing teams to take hardware from design through production and vehicle integration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Own the schedule and budget for assigned cargo integration and structural hardware.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Support manufacturing and integration by dispositioning non-conformances and resolving hardware issues quickly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Serve as the technical owner and subject-matter expert for the cargo system from initial concept through mission operations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About You</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You’re a successful candidate if you are a giver, not a taker. You have an ability to make things happen. You are exceptional at several things, yet willing to take on efforts in areas of weakness. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><em><span data-contrast="auto">Required Attributes</span></em></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">5+ years of industry experience in mechanical, aerospace, or a related engineering discipline.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Demonstrated ownership of complex mechanical or aerospace projects from concept through hardware delivery.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with spacecraft, aircraft, launch vehicle, or other complex vehicle packaging and mechanical integration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong mechanical design fundamentals, including structural load paths, joints, interfaces, and secondary structures.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of relevant structural environments including acceleration, pressure, vibration, shock, and thermal loading, and experience designing hardware for these environments.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience performing first-order structural analysis and using finite element analysis to support detailed design.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience developing and executing structural or mechanical verification test plans.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Proficiency with CAD and engineering analysis tools such as NX and Simcenter 3D, or equivalent packages.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong understanding and application of engineering drawing practices, GD&T, and ASME Y14.5.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Ability to work effectively across structures, configuration, avionics, thermal, manufacturing, operations, and other engineering disciplines.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction and lead a small team through an ambiguous, rapidly evolving design problem.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><em><span data-contrast="auto">Bonus Points for</span></em></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with spacecraft cargo, payload, or secondary-structure integration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience developing vehicle-level cargo or payload layouts from a clean-sheet configuration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with both internally and externally mounted spacecraft hardware.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience integrating powered payloads or cargo requiring electrical, thermal, or data interfaces.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Proven history of delivering flight hardware for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or other space systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with human spaceflight cargo requirements, including stowage, restraint, accessibility, handling, and operational considerations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Deep working knowledge of welded and bolted joints, structural analysis of joints, design for manufacturability, material selection, and heat-treatment processes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience supporting vehicle integration, launch-site operations, or mission operations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Compensation and Benefits</strong></p>
<p>Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee discounts, and more. </p>
<p><strong>About Compliance</strong></p>
<p>To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.<br><br>Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.</p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$140,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$180,000 USD</span></div></div></div>
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