Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world's most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We're looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and integration of structural and thermal systems for our satellite platforms. In this role, you'll take ownership of critical spacecraft hardware from concept through launch, driving technical decisions and ensuring system-level performance.

You'll play a key role in developing flight-ready hardware, from CAD and FEA through environmental testing and qualification. This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role that requires working across payload, avionics, power, and AIT teams to deliver reliable spacecraft.

What You'll Do

• Own the design and development of satellite structural components, enclosures, deployment mechanisms, and precision mounts for space environments
• Lead structural and thermal analysis, including vibration, modal, and thermal cycling, to ensure mission reliability
• Develop and maintain CAD models, drawings, and mechanical interface definitions with rigorous configuration control
• Drive the integration, qualification, and environmental testing of flight hardware, including fixture and test setup development
• Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure seamless mechanical integration across subsystems
• Mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance on best practices in design, analysis, and testing
• Contribute to design reviews and serve as a subject matter expert in spacecraft mechanical systems

What You Bring

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability mechanical hardware development
• Expertise in mechanical CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX) and strong configuration management practices
• Proficiency with FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent) for structural and thermal analysis
• Proven track record of taking hardware from concept through flight, including prototyping, assembly, and qualification testing
• Strong ownership mindset, detail orientation, and ability to make critical design tradeoffs
• Excellent communication skills and experience collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams

Bonus:

• Experience with LEO spacecraft or smallsat development
• Background in designing deployment mechanisms, separation systems, or precision opto-mechanical assemblies
• Familiarity with cleanroom procedures and aerospace quality/reliability standards

This role is onsite in Burlingame, CA, working closely with the satellite engineering team.

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.