Senior Mechanical Engineer - Payloads

Job Title: Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Payloads

Job Description

This Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Payloads role focuses on leading the mechanical design, development, and integration of advanced optical payload systems for space-based applications. You will act as a technical leader and hands-on contributor throughout the entire payload lifecycle, from initial concept development through manufacturing release, integration, testing, and delivery of flight hardware. The position requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary internal teams and external partners to ensure that payload systems meet stringent structural, thermal, performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements, while integrating seamlessly with spacecraft structures and related systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and integration efforts for optical payload systems used in spaceflight applications.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary internal teams, including mechanical, systems, optical, thermal, structural, manufacturing, and test engineers, as well as external development partners throughout development programs.
• Define and manage mechanical requirements for payloads and spacecraft structures while supporting technical planning, risk management, and overall program execution.
• Design spacecraft structures, assemblies, and components using 3D CAD tools such as Creo or equivalent platforms.
• Create, review, and maintain engineering documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials, and manufacturing records in accordance with GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 standards.
• Evaluate design, test, and production data to ensure designs meet program objectives for performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Support manufacturing and integration teams by troubleshooting and resolving build issues, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment (GSE) required for assembly, integration, and testing of payloads and spacecraft structures.
• Contribute to production, integration, and test planning activities, including structural, thermal, and integration testing for spaceflight hardware.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule considerations across the full product lifecycle.
• Support the mechanical integration of complex systems, including optical payloads, composite structures, and spacecraft subsystems, within a production and integration environment.
• Engage in continuous improvement of design-for-manufacturability (DFM) practices, engineering best practices, and integration strategies for current and future spacecraft generations.
• Provide cross-functional technical leadership, offering guidance on architecture, integration strategy, and engineering methods to ensure mission success.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience within the satellite, spacecraft, or launch vehicle industry.
• Mechanical design experience supporting optical systems or optical payloads.
• Proven experience progressing designs from initial concept through manufacturing release.
• Familiarity with mechanical requirements for spaceflight systems and space system mechanical design.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering efforts and providing technical leadership at a staff level.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling and manufacturing drawing creation, such as PTC Creo or equivalent tools.
• Working knowledge and practical application of GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 standards.
• Experience creating engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation for complex assemblies.
• Experience with mechanical integration of complex systems, including payloads and spacecraft subsystems.
• Ability to meet U.S. export control requirements (ITAR).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with PTC Creo and/or Windchill for design and product data management.
• Experience in structural analysis and structural testing for spacecraft or aerospace hardware.
• Experience with thermal analysis, thermal testing, and thermal vacuum environments.
• Hands-on experience supporting spacecraft integration and production environments.
• Experience with integration testing of spacecraft and payload systems.
• Familiarity with composite structures and their application in spacecraft and payload design.
• Experience developing and using ground support equipment (GSE), tooling, and fixtures for assembly and test.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions in a production or integration setting.
• Knowledge of design-for-manufacturability (DFM) principles and their application to aerospace hardware.
• Exposure to flight hardware, prototype systems, and production spacecraft in a fast-paced development environment.
• Interest in solving complex structural, thermal, and opto-mechanical engineering challenges associated with spaceflight hardware.
• Motivation to work in a rapidly growing aerospace organization with opportunities for long-term career growth, including potential contract-to-hire pathways.

Work Environment

The role is based in a lab and office environment in the Greater Seattle area, with a hybrid work schedule that combines on-site and remote work. You will have regular hands-on interaction with prototype hardware, flight hardware, and support equipment in a fast-paced development setting. The environment emphasizes close collaboration across mechanical, systems, optical, thermal, structural, manufacturing, and test engineering teams. You will work with modern 3D CAD tools such as PTC Creo and product lifecycle systems like Windchill, as well as participate in structural, thermal, and integration testing, including thermal vacuum conditions. The culture promotes a strong engineering focus, cross-functional collaboration, visibility across the full product lifecycle, and the opportunity to influence future spacecraft generations while contributing directly to mission-critical space technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tukwila, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $76.00 - $86.54/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Tukwila,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 19, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.