Mechanical Engineer, San Francisco, CA

Mechanical / Payload Design Engineer (Space Systems)

Your work could be operating on the lunar surface within the next 12-18 months.

We’re supporting a pioneering aerospace team building next-generation payload systems for an upcoming lunar mission. This is a rare opportunity to own end-to-end mechanical design on a mission-critical system-from early concept through flight hardware.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading mechanical design and development of a complex spaceflight payload
• Rapid prototyping, testing, and iterating in a fast-paced build environment
• Performing and interpreting structural and mechanism analysis to drive design decisions
• Managing interfaces with external partners and vehicle providers
• Supporting integration, test, and delivery of flight-ready hardware

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong experience with CAD and FEA tools (design + analysis)
• Proven track record building and delivering hardware from concept to deployment
• Experience with mechanisms, deployables, or complex assemblies
• Hands-on engineers who thrive in high-ownership, fast-moving environments
• Passion for building real hardware that operates in extreme environments

Ideal for engineers who want to step into a role where they own the hardware, move fast, and see their work deployed beyond Earth .

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Callum Day