Senior Staff Mechanical Systems Engineer

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. Currently, we are seeking a Mechanical Systems Engineer to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. As a Mechanical Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for mechanical requirements, including Requirements Verification Traceability Matrices, Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), Verification & Validation activities, and assistance in test planning and documentation for the LTV program at Lunar Outpost. This role requires deep technical expertise, strategic planning, strong attention to detail, responsibility, and ownership in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

 Key Responsibilities: 

Create and maintain Requirement Verification Traceability Matrices (RVTM’s) for mechanical components and assemblies, with respect to applicable program and component specifications and applicable NASA standards.

Write, edit, review, and decompose requirements, ensuring traceability is maintained, useful rationales are implemented, and accurate V&V methodologies are specified.

Participate in ECOs, as a key stakeholder and a representative for the mechanical engineering team.

Participate in creation of analysis plans and test plans in accordance with V&V methodologies, and participate in documentation of test events and traceability back to requirements.

Assist with management of key engineering documentation, including Master Equipment Lists, BOMs, Wikis, etc.

Develop and maintain ICDs.

Contribute to standardization of practices and procedures within the mechanical and systems teams.

Collaborate with team members across disciplines to ensure multi-faceted needs of all stakeholders are met.

Participate in planning/scheduling efforts and meetings, and coordinate efforts of mechanical team members to accomplish broader programmatic goals.

Provide estimates of cost, schedule, and risk from programmatic and interdisciplinary technical standpoints.

Collaborate with NASA Insight members in recurring working group sessions.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

10+ Years of relevant experience (may be supplemented by applicable Master’s degree)

Demonstrated experience managing hardware requirements through development and maturation for spaceflight

Demonstrated experience driving V&V activities and test campaigns for flight hardware

Proficiency in requirements management tools such as Jama, Doors, etc.

Demonstrated experience interacting and coordinating with key internal and external stakeholders

Strong demonstrated experience documenting designs, analysis, tests, presentations, meetings, etc.

Strong familiarity with applicable NASA mechanical engineering standards – NASA-STD-5001, -5002, -5012, -5017, -5019, -5020, -6016, -6030, -7009, etc.

Proficiency in preparing and presenting materials in standard aerospace reviews – MCR, PDR, CDR, etc.

Strong familiarity with vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum test campaigns for flight qualification

Self-motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines

Excellent organization and time management skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in relevant discipline

Proficiency in Bild, GrabCAD Workbench, Git, or similar CAD management software

Experience in reliability assessments

Experience in materials & processes

Prior experience in aerospace startup environment

Demonstrated leadership in engineering environment

Any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon Lunar Outpost receiving the LTVS SubCLIN 1C Award from NASA. If the contract is not awarded to Lunar Outpost, this offer will be considered null and void, without further obligation to Lunar Outpost.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer

Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation

Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions

Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity  employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.