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Principal Mechanical Engineer

Golden, Colorado

About Loft
 
Loft Federal is dedicated to providing the US national security space community with a rapid, affordable, and simplified pathway to orbit. We are a US-incorporated, wholly-owned subsidiary of Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc.
 
At Loft, we empower our team members with autonomy and ownership to tackle significant challenges, all while fostering a close-knit and supportive team environment. We believe that diversity, community, and inclusivity are the cornerstones of an open culture. We place significant value on kind, supportive, and team-oriented comrades with phenomenal problem-solving and communication skills.
 
Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? 

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer at Loft Federal, you will own our hardware development from conceptual design to production ensuring strict adherence with design criteria. You will lead our mechanical team in design iterations, structural and thermal analyses, and support our integration and testing efforts to ensure the resilience of our space hardware. Additionally, your technical leadership will help the team manage technical deliverables, schedules, and operations. You will provide mentorship to our more junior mechanical engineers, and foster collaboration with the rest of our engineering team for seamless mission execution.

Mission Objectives

  • Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction. 
  • Perform detailed structural and thermal analysis to engineer robust space hardware.
  • Provide comprehensive support for environmental and performance testing on hardware,  validating analyses, and ensuring compliance with design criteria.
  • Ownership of technical deliverables as well as schedules, supply chain, and operations.
  • Act as the primary mechanical point of contact for suppliers, customers, and subcontractors, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to a team of talented mechanical engineers to foster their professional growth and development.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and synergy across all aspects of the project.

Mission Mandates

  • Active DoD Secret clearance is required.
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance is required.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with a DoD or Intelligence Community Top Secret background investigation with at least 3 years of eligibility remaining or CE status; and SCI eligibility with current experience in SCI programs, other control systems, and/or Special Access Programs.

Mission Credentials

  • A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a directly related field.
  • Over 12 years of extensive experience in mechanical design, development, and testing within the aerospace industry.
  • Proficiency with CAD software, with SolidWorks preferred.
  • Leadership experience within engineering teams. 
  • Strong mechanical aptitude to address a variety of technical challenges complex in nature. 
  • Expertise in structural and thermal design and analysis, encompassing both manual calculations and Finite Element Models (FEM). 
  • Proven track record of successful hardware ownership on a spacecraft, subsystem, or payloads.
  • Comprehensive experience supporting end-to-end satellite programs. 
  • Background in small satellite assembly, integration, and test campaigns with an emphasis on vibration and thermal testing.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate effectively in customer meetings.
  • Experience in force-limited vibration testing or developing analytical notched profiles.
  • Proficiency in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
  • Experience in designing avionics enclosures for PCBAs.
  • Experience in harness routing.
Per Colorado law, we are required to disclose the base compensation range for this role. This range is intentionally wide as we assess individuals based on their unique abilities and experience to find the best fit for our needs. Ultimately, your compensation will be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
 
In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, you will find a truly remarkable culture guided by transparency and collaboration and work that is challenging and meaningful. We can't wait to meet you and see what you may add to our team!

Salary Range

$160,000 - $208,000 USD

Posting Statement

Loft Federal is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy.

If you require assistance due to a disability applying for an open position, please submit a request to us at recruiting@loftfederal.com.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions.  We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t ‘check all the boxes'. We welcome all. 
 
No outside recruiters, please.
Loft Federal does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes and will not pay any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with Loft Federal. 

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