Mechanisms Engineer

Piper Companies is currently looking for a Mechanisms Engineer in Midland, TX to work for a rapidly growing satellite production company. This role requires the candidate to report onsite and offers significant relocation and benefits packages.

Responsibilities for the Mechanisms Engineer:

• Assemble, integrate, and test spacecraft mechanisms including hinges, yokes, actuators, HDRMs, and deployable booms/arms with thousands of moving parts per satellite.
• Develop and operate ground support equipment for vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum testing of deployment hardware.
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis and ensure alignment in moving assemblies for reliable deployment.
• Analyze test data and determine pass/fail criteria, supporting spacecraft integration and launch operations.
• Troubleshoot anomalies and perform root-cause analysis on deployment systems; contribute to design improvements for mechanisms that fail to deploy cleanly.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers and technicians to ensure mechanism performance from design through mission deployment.
• Calculate torque margins and hinge preload requirements for deployment actuators and separation systems.

Qualifications for the Mechanisms Engineer:

• 0-4 years of hands-on experience in aerospace mechanisms, deployment systems, or precision mechanical assemblies (structures-only experience will not suffice).
• Proficiency in mechanical assembly, testing, and integration of space hardware, including deployable systems.
• Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo) and test equipment (oscilloscopes, thermal chambers).
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Strong understanding of beam loading, bending moments, torque margins, and tolerance stack-ups in moving assemblies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to lead failure investigations.
• Flexibility for occasional weekend and early morning work (e.g., 4 AM deployments).

Compensation for the Mechanisms Engineer:

• Salary Range: $85,000-100,000+ (depending on experience)
• Comprehensive benefit package; Cigna Medical, Cigna Dental, Vision, 401k w/ ADP, PTO, paid holidays, sick Leave as required by law

This job opens for applications on 4/6/26. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date

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