Mechanical Launch Integration Engineer, Space

About the Role

You'll own launch integration for spacecraft programs from kick-off through separation on orbit, serving as the primary technical interface to the launch vehicle provider.

Key Responsibilities

• Author and negotiate Launch Requirements Documents and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) that define the mechanical, electrical, and environmental interfaces between the spacecraft and launch vehicle.
• Coordinate delivery of analysis and data products to and from the launch provider – mass properties, coupled loads analysis (CLA) inputs and results, structural and thermal FEMs, separation and clearance analyses, range safety documentation, MSDS, and test reports.
• Define and verify spacecraft compatibility with launch environments (quasi-static, vibration, acoustic, shock, and thermal), reconciling launch provider levels against the spacecraft design and test program.
• Own the verification and compliance matrix against launch provider requirements for spacecraft and payloads.
• Plan and lead launch site operations – transport, fit-checks, propellant loading support, integrated testing, encapsulation, and day-of-launch activities.
• Support integration and readiness reviews (e.g., MRR, LRR, FRR) and present launch readiness status internally and to customers.
• Work with internal teams and government agencies to obtain required licenses and approvals (FAA, FCC, NOAA, etc.) and comply with range safety and orbital debris mitigation regulations for launching spacecraft.
• Triage issues, conduct root cause investigations, and drive lessons learned from each launch campaign into simpler, more standardized processes across programs.
• Create excellent technical documentation – integration plans, interface control documents, procedures, test reports.
• Travel to launch sites, ranges, and vendors as needed, including extended and international campaign support and off-nominal launch operations.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• BS or higher degree in engineering or a hard science, ideally in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience conducting launch integration operations with an emphasis on simplicity, safety, and reliability.
• Experience interfacing with launch vehicle providers and spacecraft development teams, including the products exchanged – ICDs, mass properties, coupled loads, environments, and separation systems.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate detailed requirements.
• Highly motivated and capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Willing to establish scope and requirements for ill-defined problems.
• A desire to work on critical spacecraft systems in support of the U.S. government and her allies.
• Be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing code or automating functions to improve efficiency and delivery to customers and launch providers (Python, MATLAB, etc.).
• Experience supporting spacecraft environmental test campaigns (structural, thermal-vacuum, EMI/EMC).
• Experience designing and integrating mechanical and electrical ground support equipment for environmental test and launch integration campaigns.
• Familiarity with launch vehicle user’s guides and with ride-share and dedicated launch provider interface and environmental requirements.
• Direct experience running coupled loads, separation and clearance, or structural and thermal analyses.
• Experience working as a stack integrator and coordinating interfaces across multiple spacecraft providers.
• Familiarity with range safety, launch licensing, and orbital debris mitigation (e.g., FAA Part 450, ODMSP, NASA-STD-8719.14).