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CesiumAstro creates out-of-the-box communication systems for space and airborne platforms.
The Role
Lead and scale the mechanical engineering team for space/aerospace hardware. Provide technical direction across lifecycle (design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, testing), establish processes, manage resources, interface with customers/suppliers, and support proposals and product roadmap decisions.
Summary Generated by Built In
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead our mechanical engineering organization, providing both people leadership and technical direction across multiple programs. This role is responsible for building and scaling a high-performing team, establishing robust engineering processes, and ensuring the successful execution of program deliverables.
As a key member of the engineering leadership team, this individual will drive strategic initiatives, support business growth, and influence product roadmap decisions. In addition to developing engineering talent, the Manager will serve as a senior technical authority, leading complex mechanical system and hardware development across the full product lifecycle—from concept through in-orbit support—for aerospace and space applications.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Lead, mentor, and scale a team of mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Define team structure, roles, and responsibilities to support business objectives and program needs.
- Set clear performance expectations; provide coaching, feedback, and formal performance evaluations.
- Drive employee engagement, retention, and career development initiatives.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to recruit top engineering talent.
- Promote an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance team environment.
- Serve as the mechanical engineering authority across multiple programs, ensuring technical excellence and consistency.
- Lead mechanical architecture development, trade studies, and key design decisions aligned with product roadmaps.
- Oversee system-level requirements definition, validation, and interface management.
- Guide teams through the full development lifecycle: concept, design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, testing, and qualification.
- Provide technical oversight for high-risk or high-visibility programs, ensuring milestone success.
- Lead and participate in internal and external design reviews, including presentations to customers and executive leadership.
- Define, implement, and continuously improve mechanical engineering processes, including design standards, analysis methodologies, and verification/validation frameworks.
- Establish and maintain technical documentation standards across programs.
- Ensure effective allocation and prioritization of engineering resources.
- Drive accountability for schedule, cost, quality, and technical performance.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with systems engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and program management teams.
- Interface with customers, suppliers, and partners to support program execution.
- Contribute to product roadmap development through mechanical technology strategy and innovation.
- Support proposal efforts, including technical solutioning, resource planning, and cost estimation.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
- Help shape long-term strategy for mechanical engineering capabilities and capacity.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- 7–9 years of experience in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace or space systems with a minimum of 1-3 years of engineering management experience.
- Deep expertise in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace/space applications.
- Experience with electronics packaging at PCBA and system levels.
- Strong understanding of structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis.
- Knowledge of environmental testing and qualification standards for space hardware.
- Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC machining, composites, additive manufacturing).
- Understanding of system integration, AI&T, and launch constraints.
- Proven ability to lead technical trade studies and make architecture-level decisions.
- Experience developing and implementing engineering processes and best practices.
- Proficiency with CAD and PDM tools (e.g., SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM or equivalent)
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar FEA tools)
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
Skills Required
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, or eligible for U.S. Department of State authorizations
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 7-9 years mechanical design and analysis experience for aerospace/space systems with 1-3 years engineering management experience
- Deep expertise in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace/space applications
- Experience with electronics packaging at PCBA and system levels
- Strong understanding of structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis
- Knowledge of environmental testing and qualification standards for space hardware
- Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes (CNC machining, composites, additive manufacturing)
- Understanding of system integration, AI&T, and launch constraints
- Proven ability to lead technical trade studies and make architecture-level decisions
- Experience developing and implementing engineering processes and best practices
- Proficiency with CAD and PDM tools (e.g., SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM or equivalent)
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar FEA tools)
- Effective communication skills, ability to convey complex technical concepts
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
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Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
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The Company
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
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