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Catalyx Space is building infrastructure to democratize access to space, offering unmanned labs, testbeds, and re-entry capsules for payload retrieval across LEO, deep space, and lunar orbit. The company serves biopharma, semiconductors, materials science, and defense sectors with affordable, integrated solutions.
As a Senior Space Mechanisms Engineer (Level III), you will own the full lifecycle of spacecraft separation systems—from design and architecture through qualification and flight delivery. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer with proven flight heritage in separation mechanisms.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design, develop, and qualify spacecraft separation devices and systems
- Lead mechanism development with ownership of technical decisions and trade-offs
- Perform dynamic modeling, modal response simulations, and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Conduct and oversee qualification testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum)
- Collaborate with systems and structures teams on integration
- Manage procurement and vendor coordination for parts and services
- Deliver flight-qualified hardware and comprehensive technical documentation
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
- 5–10 years in spacecraft mechanisms; minimum 3 years focused on separation systems
- Direct hands-on experience with flight-proven separation hardware
- Expert-level GD&T (ASME Y14.5), DFM, and design for additive manufacturing (DfAM)
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent mechanism design software
- Strong vibration analysis and testing experience
- Deep knowledge of coatings, plating, and surface treatments for mechanisms
- Expertise in ANSYS or similar CAE for structural, modal, and thermal analysis
- Experience with full qualification test campaigns
- Ability to create CMM probing descriptions for inspection and validation
Preferred: spacecraft separation system familiarity, proven flight heritage delivery, excellent communication, and flexibility for extended hours when needed.
