Associate Mechanical Engineering Manager, CesiumAstro
$140-168k
+ Company stock options
Office located in El Segundo, CA
Aerospace communication systems
Be an early applicant
Aerospace communication systems
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
$140-168k
+ Company stock options
Office located in El Segundo, CA
201-500 employees
Company mission
To deliver advanced communication capabilities for a diverse set of applications at compelling performance and cost.
Role
Who you are
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- 4–7 years of experience in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace or space systems with a minimum of 1 year of engineering management or team leadership experience
- Deep expertise in mechanical design, analysis, and hardware development
- Experience with electronics packaging at both PCBA and system levels
- Strong understanding of structural, thermal, and dynamic analysis methods
- Knowledge of environmental testing and qualification standards for space hardware
- Proficiency with CAD and PDM tools, including SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM (or equivalent)
- Experience with simulation and analysis tools such as ANSYS Mechanical, SolidWorks Simulation, or similar FEA platforms
- Familiarity with aerospace materials and manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC machining, composites, additive manufacturing)
- Understanding of system integration, AI&T, and launch constraints
- Proven ability to lead technical trade studies and make architecture-level decisions
- Experience developing and implementing engineering processes and best practices
- Effective communication skills with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
What the job involves
- We are seeking a Mechanical Engineering Associate Manager to lead the functional management and development of our mechanical engineering team
- This role is responsible for scaling engineering processes, driving technical excellence, and ensuring effective deployment of resources across programs
- In addition to leading and developing a team of engineers, this individual will serve as a senior technical contributor, guiding mechanical system and hardware development across the full product lifecycle, from concept through in-orbit support, with a strong focus on aerospace and space-based applications
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Set performance expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance evaluations
- Build an inclusive and collaborative team environment aligned with company values
- Partner with senior leadership and Talent Acquisition on hiring and workforce planning
- Align training and development initiatives with organizational and employee growth needs
- Serve as a senior technical leader across all phases of mechanical system and hardware development
- Lead mechanical architecture trade studies and drive technology development aligned with product roadmaps
- Define and validate system-level mechanical requirements and interfaces for aerospace/space applications
- Lead concept development efforts, including proposals and feasibility studies
- Oversee mechanical design, analysis, and testing for high-criticality programs
- Support design reviews and present technical content to customers and executive leadership
- Develop, implement, and standardize mechanical engineering processes, including design checklists, analysis methodologies, verification and validation plans, and lifecycle documentation standards
- Establish baseline technical documentation for new programs and products
- Ensure effective allocation of engineering resources across multiple programs
- Collaborate with customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to support program success
- Drive accountability for technical milestones, quality standards, and delivery commitments
Our take
CesiumAstro is a startup specializing in phased array communications for aerospace applications. It manufactures antennas that support in-flight connectivity and satellite communications, addressing the significant data transfer needs of AI and autonomous vehicles.
This type of communication support is vital nowadays, when the transfer of massive amounts of data is mission-critical. The company's first antenna flew in 2023 as part of a payload for defense contractor CACI International. CesiumAstro also secured a lucrative subcontract with RocketLab to provide antennas for the Space Development Agency.
CesiumAstro has secured immense funding over the years, including a record $200 million in government financing in 2026. This investment continues to support the company's growth, R&D and manufacturing goals. It comes alongside an expansion of operations which sees CesiumAstro supporting national security.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Feb 2026
$270m
SERIES C
Mar 2025
$55m
GRANT
Total funding: $464.2m
Company benefits
- Health, dental, vision
- HSA and FSA
- Life, disability and retirement plans
- Company stock options
Company HQ
Bee Cave, TX
Leadership
Shey Sabripour
(CEO & Founder)Served as the Director of Spacecraft Design at Lockheed Martin for over 23 years. They also served as the CTO at Firefly Aerospace before founding CesiumAstro.
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