Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer - Space Robotics and Mechanisms
Job Description
This long-term contract Mechanical Design Engineer role focuses on developing mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, precision mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment. You will own hardware from early concept through detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and delivery. The position is ideal for a practical, hands-on mechanical engineer with strong CAD fundamentals, sound engineering judgment, and a passion for creating reliable, manufacturable hardware for demanding spaceflight environments.
Responsibilities
Design mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, precision mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
Lead mechanical design for mechanisms involving multiple components working together in motion, including robotics, motors, and bearings.
Develop CAD models and detailed drawings using SolidWorks, applying GD&T and tight tolerances to ensure high precision and manufacturability.
Support the full product lifecycle from concept development through detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and final delivery.
Collaborate with analysts and systems engineers to understand and incorporate environmental requirements such as thermal, shock, and vibration into designs.
Perform engineering analysis including hand calculations, tolerance analysis, and simpler FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to validate and refine designs.
Design for manufacturability (DFM), ensuring that components and assemblies can be produced efficiently and reliably for spaceflight applications.
Support R&D and proto@type development for space mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical systems, and related tooling and ground support equipment.
Participate in reviews of mechanical designs, drawings, and analyses to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry best practices.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, implement design improvements, and support integration and test activities.
Contribute to multi-year space and aerospace projects by delivering robust motion control and mechanical solutions for extreme environments throughout the solar system.
Essential Skills
3-10 years of experience in mechanical systems design for space, defense, or commercial aerospace applications.
Strong in mechanical design engineering from concept through CAD design and proto@type production.
Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D design, CAD modeling, and creation of detailed mechanical drawings.
Demonstrated experience with mechanisms design, including mechanical systems with multiple components in motion such as robotics, motors, and bearings.
Hands-on experience with R&D and proto@type development of space mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical systems, tooling, and ground support equipment.
Strong understanding and practical application of GD&T for high-precision mechanical designs.
Ability to perform engineering analysis including hand calculations, simpler FEA (Finite Element Analysis), and tolerance analysis.
Ability to interpret and design to environmental requirements such as thermal, shock, and vibration, and to work with analysts to assess design performance.
Solid mechanical engineering fundamentals and sound engineering judgment applied to demanding spaceflight environments.
Experience with design for manufacturability (DFM) and creating reliable, manufacturable hardware for extreme environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with spaceflight hardware, spacecraft, space systems, or spacecraft systems.
in space, military, defense projects, commercial aerospace, or robotics industries.
Experience in new product development and engineering for advanced motion control and electro-mechanical systems.
Familiarity with additional CAD and analysis tools such as CATIA, NX (Unigraphics NX), or similar platforms.
Experience with FEA analysis beyond basic cases is beneficial.
Exposure to motion control system solutions for extreme or hostile environments.
Ability to operate effectively in a small, growing organization where team members wear multiple hats and contribute across disciplines.
Work Environment
This role is based at a Pasadena facility associated with a former specialized space systems provider. You will work in a small and growing company of approximately 40+ employees, where team members wear multiple hats and contribute across the full spectrum of engineering through manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems. The culture emphasizes problem solving, flexibility, rapid response, and on-time delivery, driven by the realities of orbital mechanics and space mission schedules. The organization develops motion control and mechanical solutions for extreme environments throughout the solar system, supporting multiple exciting projects including motion control electronics and mechanisms for missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The environment is collaborative and hands-on, with close interaction between design, analysis, manufacturing, and test teams, and offers significant opportunities for growth through multi-year projects and an expanding project backlog.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Pasadena, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Pasadena,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
