Principal Mechanical Engineer, Cargo Systems

The posting, as Gravitics, Inc wrote it

About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not just exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture the large-scale structures and systems that will power human and robotic activity in Earth orbit and beyond. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future, together.

About the Role

To build our space systems, we need an exceptional mechanical engineer to own the top-level mechanical design, CAD configuration, and physical integration of a clean-sheet cargo vehicle.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the integrated vehicle CAD model, establishing the mechanical configuration, and ensuring that structures, cargo, avionics, thermal systems, mechanisms, propulsion, and other subsystems come together into a coherent and manufacturable vehicle.

This is a highly cross-functional role at the center of the vehicle design. You will work with subsystem responsible engineers to establish interfaces, drive packaging trades, identify and resolve integration conflicts, and mature the vehicle from early concepts through detailed design, build, integration, test, and flight operations.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the top-level integrated CAD model and mechanical configuration of a clean-sheet cargo vehicle.
• Develop vehicle-level layouts and packaging concepts that satisfy mission, structural, cargo, subsystem, manufacturing, integration, and operational requirements.
• Establish and maintain the vehicle CAD architecture, including assembly structure, coordinate systems, interface geometry, envelopes, keep-out zones, and other configuration-critical features.
• Lead vehicle-level mechanical integration across primary and secondary structures, cargo, avionics, thermal systems, propulsion, mechanisms, harnessing, fluid systems, and other vehicle subsystems.
• Work with subsystem responsible engineers to define and manage mechanical interfaces and ensure their designs integrate into the overall vehicle configuration.
• Lead packaging and configuration trades involving vehicle geometry, cargo volume, mass properties, accessibility, serviceability, assembly sequence, subsystem routing, and structural load paths.
• Identify integration conflicts early and drive cross-functional teams to resolution.
• Own vehicle-level clearance and interference management and ensure the integrated configuration remains internally consistent as designs mature.
• Drive configuration maturity from conceptual layouts through preliminary and critical design, released hardware, vehicle assembly, and integration.
• Support vehicle mass properties development by maintaining accura

[…]
o interfaces.

• Experience performing vehicle-level packaging and configuration trades across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience with vehicle mass properties, including component location management, center-of-gravity trades, and configuration-dependent mass properties.
• Experience defining and managing mechanical Interface Control Documents (ICDs), interface geometry, keep-out zones, and subsystem envelopes.
• Experience integrating harnessing, fluid lines, avionics, thermal hardware, and other distributed systems within a constrained vehicle envelope.
• Experience with design-for-assembly, vehicle integration sequencing, ground support equipment, transportation, lifting, and handling.
• Experience supporting spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test activities through flight.

Compensation and Benefits
Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary
based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct
experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also
includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well
as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee
discounts, and more.

About Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful
permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3),
or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit,
qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender
identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability,
veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Salary Range
$150,000 — $205,000 USD