Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
About UbiquitiLink:
UbiquitiLink is a space communications venture with a novel idea for a constellation of nanosatellites dedicated to telecommunications services. Founded by experienced commercial space entrepreneurs, the company is looking for a Mechanical Engineer who can support the venture’s efforts to design, build, and test the mechanical systems and components needed to fly and operate cell towers in orbit.
Job Summary:
As Mechanical Engineer at UbiquitiLink, you will be responsible for the analysis, design, build, and enhancement of the mechanical systems associated with our nanosatellite communications payloads, satellites, test beds, testing equipment, etc. Some work products will include mechanical models of space and ground systems in CAD software (e.g. Solidworks), analysis of attitude control systems, thermal analysis, structural analysis, vibration analysis, finite element analysis, and implementation of numerical methods of analysis for things like orbital mechanics and related critical system trades. You will work closely with the Electrical, RF, Software, and Systems teams at the company. In addition to design, you will also be responsible for integration and testing support of critical hardware systems such as spacecraft mechanical, structural, and electrical subsystems. While mechanically focused, your role will involve a lot of work with computers and electronics so you should have a knack for facets of electrical and software engineering. These nanosatellites offer an exciting challenge in mechanically integrating impressive capabilities into a small, low mass package.
If you enjoy the challenge of wearing many hats and have a track record of creative thinking to solve unconventional problems, then we look forward to meeting you!
Core Responsibilities:
Because UbiquitiLink is a small company, the Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for Mechanical and Thermal engineering work while simultaneously straddling the domains of Electrical and Software engineering.
- Leading design and modeling of spacecraft/payload hardware (also some equipment for use on the ground and in the lab) using Solidworks.
- Support spacecraft/payload integration, testing, delivery to launch and spacecraft bus partners/vendors.
- Designing and planning mechanical testing configurations on the ground when testing payload communications performance both in-lab and in-orbit (this has more mechanical aspects than you might think)
- Interface with systems, harness, software, and electrical/RF engineering teams to inform spacecraft/payload mechanical design and layout.
- Developing thermal, materials, and structural (e.g. vibration) analyses of space hardware.
- Bench level mechatronics work including testing, integration, assembly, and prototyping of electronic/mechanical hardware (and maybe a little software).
- Some software-based Systems Engineering analysis using MATLAB scripts, python scripts, etc.
- Supporting developing and maintaining technical documentation for payload/spacecraft design and development.
- Must be able to work independently and in a team environment.
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree (or above) in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering (Electrical Engineering or Physics may also apply).
- Experience working on projects doing design, integration, or test of space hardware.
- Experience with manufacturing and fabrication methods/tools. Machine shop experience is highly desired.
- Experienced and highly proficient in 3D CAD software, ideally Solidworks, 3D printing.
- Programming proficiency in one or more programming languages is desired (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with integrating hardware/electronics is desired.
- Must be good with computers. Fluent in Windows or Mac OSX; Very capable with Microsoft Office (Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Word).
- Experience working with Linux operating systems is a big plus.
- Proficiency with electrical design software, such as Altium is a big plus and Hands-on experience with microcontrollers or SDRs is a big plus.