Mechanism Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: Ashburn, VA

Employment Type: FullTime

Mechanism Engineer

Overview Energy is turning uninterrupted sunlight in space into directable energy on Earth. From our homebase in Virginia, we’re building satellites that will deliver energy from orbit to the grid and make solar a reliable 24/7 resource.

The Role

Overview Energy’s Mechanism Engineer leads the design, development, qualification, and in‑orbit performance of spacecraft mechanisms supporting deployable and articulating structures, including solar arrays, antennas, booms, and other moving subsystems. This role combines structural and mechanical design, tribology, dynamics, and hands‑on test and integration work to deliver reliable, lightweight, and fault‑tolerant mechanisms for launch and space environments. The ideal candidate has experience with space‑rated mechanisms such as hinges, latches, hold‑down and release systems, actuators, and rotary drive assemblies, and can own mechanism concepts from requirements definition through flight support.

Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, and analyze spacecraft mechanisms (such as deployment hinges, hold‑down and release mechanisms, latching systems) from concept through detailed design.

• Develop kinematic and dynamic models of mechanisms to evaluate clearances, range of motion, loads, friction, backlash, and deployment margins under launch and on‑orbit conditions.

• Generate detailed design specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical documentation for mechanism assemblies, including structural hardware, bearings, lubricants, fasteners, and actuators using CAD and industry‑standard analysis tools.

• Define, plan, and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns for mechanisms and subassemblies, including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, life cycling, deployment, and functional testing.

• Work with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure design‑for‑manufacturability, process control, and traceability of space‑qualified mechanical components, lubricants, and materials.

• Support spacecraft integration and test (I&T), including installation of mechanisms, deployment and functional checkouts, anomaly troubleshooting, and test data review.

• Participate in failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), hazard analyses, and reliability assessments for mechanisms, and drive design improvements based on test and flight experience.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with a focus on mechanical design or structures.

• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft mechanisms, deployable space structures, precision electromechanical hardware, or closely related flight mechanical systems.

• Strong proficiency with CAD and mechanical analysis tools (e.g., finite element analysis, kinematic/dynamic modeling) for mechanism and structural design.

• Demonstrated experience with environmental and qualification testing relevant to flight hardware (e.g., vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, life cycle, deployment) including test planning, execution support, and data review.

• Understanding of materials and tribology for space mechanisms, including selection of lubricants, coatings, and bearings suitable for vacuum and thermal extremes.​

• U.S. citizenship and ability to work with ITAR‑controlled technical data and hardware, as required by program and regulatory constraints.

Nice-to-have experience:

• Graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with emphasis on structures, mechanisms, or space systems.

• Hands‑on experience with design and qualification of deployment mechanisms, rotary drive mechanisms, or precision pointing mechanisms for spaceflight programs.

• Familiarity with space qualification and reliability standards (e.g., NASA, ECSS, MIL standards) applicable to mechanical and structural hardware.

• Experience with non‑pyrotechnic release devices, stepper or brushless DC motor‑driven mechanisms, and associated control electronics interfaces.

• Prior involvement in on‑orbit deployment or mechanism anomaly resolution on operational spacecraft.

Benefits:

The health and safety of our employees and their families comes first. In addition to competitive salary and equity, we offer medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage, a health and wellness stipend, 6 weeks of paid time off, parental leave, and employer 401K matching. The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits at any time.

ITAR Requirements:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Overview Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Overview Energy is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our Human Resources team at [email protected].

Studies show that women and individuals from underrepresented groups often apply for jobs only if they meet all listed qualifications. We encourage anyone who believes they can succeed in this role to apply, even if they do not meet every qualification listed.