Mechanical Engineering Manager

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Spacecraft Design Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Manager will lead our Spacecraft Design Mechanical Engineering team in the design and delivery of state-of-the-art spacecraft and support equipment. The role will oversee mechanical design efforts across multiple programs, ensuring technical excellence, team development, and successful project execution. The Mechanical Engineering Manager maintains a high-performing engineering team through manpower management, team development, recruiting, and hiring while proactively collaborating with functional and business leadership teams to support business and program requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical design and product development, a passion for space, and proven leadership experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of mechanical engineers and designers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and performance feedback.
• Oversee the mechanical layout, structural subsystem design, and transition to production of spacecraft and related systems.
• Allocate resources, manage project timelines, and monitor team performance to ensure successful execution.
• Collaborate with systems engineering, electrical integration, structural and thermal analysis, manufacturing, and external partners to deliver efficient and effective mechanical designs.
• Ensure robust team capability to review and approve engineering designs, calculations, and documentation.
• Identify and mitigate mechanical integration risks, proposing innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Lead the team in employing Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost (DFC) principles.
• Drive consistent and efficient methodologies, tools, and best practices for mechanical design activities.
• Contribute to business development efforts by providing technical input and estimates for mechanical engineering activities in proposals and project bids.
• Stay updated on advancements in materials, design and analysis methods, and manufacturing processes to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage the staffing of the mechanical engineering team by assessing staffing requirements, recruiting and hiring top talent, fostering employee development, and driving employee engagement to maintain a high-performing team.
• Travel and work off-site at other locations may be required.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field. (Graduate Degree preferred.)
• 8+ years of relevant experience. Management or leadership experience preferred.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (CREO, SolidWorks, Catia, or similar) and Product Data Management/Product Lifecycle Management tools (PDM, Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar).
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and analysis techniques.
• Experience with space or aerospace industry mechanical design, analysis, and testing is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations (e.g. DOD, NASA, ESA, etc.).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions under tight deadlines with exemplary attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of projects; possesses strong organization and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.