Principal Mechanical Engineer

Black Ve, Inc is a dynamic and innovative national security-focused space company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and engineering excellence for our exceptional customers.

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer at Black Ve, Inc, you will play an integral role in design, analysis, integration, and testing of our spacecraft. You will be critical member of our Spacecraft Programs team by leading the design, analysis, integration, and test of structural and thermal systems. This will include interfacing with teams of cross-functional scientists, engineers, software developers, and technicians to ensure spacecraft mechanical systems survive launch and operate on-orbit.

If you would like to be responsible for spacecraft mechanical systems and enjoy working on a Team to discover solutions to difficult engineering problems, you will find work at Black Ve exciting and challenging. As a principal member of the Spacecraft Programs Team, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects that will shape the future of national security space.

You will be required to identify and lead work within a small and agile team on a broad set of tasks and ensure the highest quality product through all phases of the space element design, build, test and operations. You will be part of building a culture in our Spacecraft Programs Team that that rewards experienced application of proven approaches and risk management techniques to enable mission success.

Collaboration across engineering, assembly, test, and software disciplines is essential. Personal ownership and accountability within the Spacecraft Programs Team is aligned with the necessary responsibilities to be successful within the company.

• Perform detailed structural analyses, including static, dynamic, thermal, and fatigue analyses, to ensure spacecraft components meet performance requirements.
• Lead the design and integration of mechanical subsystems for spacecraft, ensuring compatibility with other systems and adherence to mission requirements.
• Translate customer and mission requirements into engineering specifications and validate that designs meet these specifications through analysis and testing.
• Evaluate and recommend materials for mechanical and structural components, ensuring optimal performance, durability, and weight.
• Develop, oversee, and analyze results from structural testing, including vibration, shock, and thermal tests, to validate design robustness.
• Prepare detailed documentation, including analysis reports, mechanical drawings, interface control documents (ICDs), and testing procedures.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers, promoting best practices in structural analysis and mechanical design.
• Work closely with other engineering teams, program management, assembly, and test teams to resolve technical challenges.

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with 10 to 15 years of relevant experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, and/or thermal design/analysis for spacecraft systems. A relevant Master’s degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
• Proven track record of successfully leading design, static structural analysis, dynamic structural analysis, and thermal system design and analysis for spacecraft that operate in the orbital space environment
• Proficiency using finite element tools, structural analysis tools, CAD tools, thermal design, and other supporting tools. ANSYS and Solidworks is preferred.
• Experience designing spacecraft with considerations for manufacturability, testability, mass distribution, and survivability in the launch and space environment.
• Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top Secret security clearance

• Experience with all phases of a spacecraft lifecycle: concept, design, analysis, assembly, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit operations.
• Ability to effectively communicate professionally in writing or verbally with all levels of personnel.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering practices and tools
• Hands-on experience with…