Mechanical Engineer, Spacecraft Structures at Observable

Los Angeles, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, SpaceIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
5+ years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or high-reliability mechanical design
Proficiency with SolidWorks, ANSYS, or equivalent CAD/FEA tools
Experience validating mechanical systems against vibration, shock, and launch loads
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermal expansion, and fatigue analysis
Familiarity with vacuum-compatible materials, coatings, and thermal interfaces
An iterative mindset - perfect is the enemy of good
Ability to thrive in a fast paced dynamic environment where rapid prototyping is the norm
Preferred Qualifications
Experience using Thermal Desktop, RadCAD, or similar tools for spacecraft thermal modeling
Background in STOP (Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance) analysis for precision optical payloads
Experience supporting flight hardware integration and on-orbit performance verification
Working knowledge of ECSS, NASA GEVS, or equivalent test standards

Responsibilities

Develop and analyze spacecraft structures using SolidWorks, ANSYS, or similar FEA tools
Perform hand calculations and assisted modeling to validate load paths, margins, and design safety factors
Create detailed drawings, assemblies, and manufacturing specifications
Design for and validate against launch vehicle load profiles and shock/vibration environments
Develop and manage vibe table test plans, including test fixture design and interface requirements
Lead and execute hardware qualification campaigns including structural and mechanical tests
Select materials and finishes compatible with vacuum, radiation, and thermal cycling
Conduct pattern-of-life studies to model long-term performance degradation and component reliability
Interface with thermal, avionics, and optical engineering teams to ensure system-wide compatibility and performance
Own mechanical interfaces and integration with spacecraft buses, enclosures, and payloads

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

SolidWorksANSYSFEAhand calculationsCADstructural analysisvibration testingshock testinglaunch loadsvacuum environmentsthermal cyclingmaterials selection

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position.

What are the basic qualifications for this role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, plus 5+ years of hands-on experience in spacecraft or high-reliability mechanical design, proficiency with SolidWorks, ANSYS, or equivalent CAD/FEA tools, experience validating against vibration, shock, and launch loads, strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermal expansion, and fatigue analysis, and familiarity with vacuum-compatible materials.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the work environment like at Observable Space?

The role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment where rapid prototyping is the norm, with an iterative mindset where perfect is the enemy of good.

What makes a strong candidate for this Mechanical Engineer role?

Strong candidates will have 5+ years of spacecraft or high-reliability design experience, proficiency in CAD/FEA tools like SolidWorks and ANSYS, expertise in structural analysis for extreme environments, and the ability to work iteratively in a fast-paced setting; preferred experience with tools like Thermal Desktop or RadCAD is a plus.

Observable

Collaborative platform for data visualization

About Observable

Observable provides a platform for data visualization and analytics, allowing users to create, share, and explore data through interactive notebooks. These notebooks are web-based documents that integrate code, data, and visualizations, enabling real-time data manipulation. The platform caters to data scientists, analysts, developers, and educators, making it especially beneficial for academic settings. Users can utilize various templates and examples to enhance their data visualization skills. Observable operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free while charging for advanced features and services, which appeal to businesses and professional teams. The company also fosters a supportive community through forums and a Slack channel, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among users.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$44.8MTotal Funding

SERIES_BCompany Stage

Data & Analytics, Consumer Software, EducationIndustries

11-50Employees

Risks

Freemium model faces competition from robust free features of Google Data Studio and Power BI.

Observable Cloud may face adoption hurdles if users resist migrating from current setups.

Pressure from investors for rapid growth may lead to strategic shifts alienating users.

Differentiation

Observable allows developers to build custom dashboards using code, unlike legacy BI tools.

The platform offers live, collaborative notebooks for real-time data exploration and iteration.

Observable's open-source framework supports any language or library for instant data app creation.

Upsides

Integration with AI-driven tools enhances insights generation and data interpretation capabilities.

The rise of low-code platforms could expand Observable's user base beyond developers.

Increasing demand for real-time analytics in finance and healthcare presents new opportunities.

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