Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)

Barrios Technology is an engineering solutions partner with more than 45 years of experience supporting NASA and the commercial space industry. We deliver innovative engineering, software, and technology integration services nationwide. Barrios fosters a people-focused culture that values creativity, diversity, professional growth, and a healthy work–life balance. 

Exciting opportunities and partnerships molding the future of space exploration have led to the need for Mechanical Engineers with expertise in Mechanisms at Barrios Technology. Working alongside our commercial spaceflight partners, our team is positioned to contribute to the future of space exploration. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to play in a role in various commercial space endeavors with our partners that include NASA, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, Lockheed Martin, and others.

The Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms) will:

• Lead the design, development, integration, and verification of mechanisms for spacecraft, mobility systems, payloads, and other spaceflight applications.
• Serve as Product Design Lead (PDL) for assigned mechanism hardware, owning requirements, design maturation, procurement, integration, testing, and delivery.
• Serve as technical lead for mechanism design activities including bearing selection and analysis, geartrain development, lubrication systems, seal systems, and actuator integration.
• Develop performance requirements and specifications for stepper motors, brushless DC motors, controllers, and other motion-control hardware; support supplier selection, procurement, testing, and characterization activities.
• Generate and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and associated technical documentation using configuration-controlled engineering processes.
• Perform engineering analyses including bearing and gear calculations, force and torque margin assessments, tolerance analyses, lubricant life evaluations, optimization studies, interference checks, and dynamic simulations.
• Develop and maintain mechanism bills of materials, support hardware procurement activities, and coordinate with suppliers, manufacturers, and internal stakeholders to deliver flight hardware.
• Develop test plans, procedures, support equipment, and data acquisition systems; execute functional, vibration, thermal-vacuum, environmental, deployment, and life-cycle testing of mechanism hardware.
• Identify technical risks, perform trade studies, develop prototypes, troubleshoot hardware issues, and implement mitigation strategies to close design and performance gaps.
• Lead requirements development, subsystem design reviews, verification planning, and customer presentations; interface with systems, structures, thermal, avionics, software, manufacturing, and test organizations and provide technical mentorship to junior engineers.

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline from an accredited institution, plus ten (10) years of related engineering experience.
• Experience leading the design, development, integration, and testing of mechanisms or electromechanical assemblies through the complete hardware lifecycle from concept through hardware delivery.
• Advanced proficiency with CAD modeling software, preferably Creo, and experience with Windchill or similar PLM/configuration management systems.
• Applied experience with ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards and development of engineering drawings, bills of materials, work orders, assembly procedures, and test documentation.
• Expertise in mechanism design principles and machine elements, including bearings, geartrains, stepper and brushless DC actuators, motors, lubrication systems, seal systems, release mechanisms, and robotic systems.
• Experience performing mechanism analyses including bearing and gear calculations, force and torque margin assessments, tolerance analyses, and dynamic or motion-system evaluations.
• Experience developing requirements, verification approaches, and performance specifications for mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Experience planning and executing functional, vibration, thermal-vacuum, environmental, and life-cycle testing of mechanism hardware.
• Familiarity with spaceflight hardware procurement, supplier management, manufacturing processes, and delivery of flight or high-reliability hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary engineering teams with strong written, verbal, and technical communication skills.

Preferences:

• Direct experience with spacecraft or spaceflight system development.
• Demonstrated history leading full lifecycle mechanism development from design through build, test, qualification, and flight.
• Experience with motion simulation software and finite element analysis tools (ANSYS, Simcenter, NASTRAN, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with lunar or planetary environments, including operation in vacuum, dust, and extreme thermal conditions.
• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Essential Requirements 

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Applicant selected may be subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Work may involve sitting for extended periods.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.
• Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary.
• Generally, an office environment but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.)
• Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.
• Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
• This position may require some commuting and traveling to other installations as needed.

 Don’t miss out on this great opportunity; for immediate consideration, apply now!

Barrios Technology is a drug-free workplace, which is imperative to the health and safety of all employees and is required as a condition of receiving contracts from federal agencies. Please remember that regardless of the legalization of marijuana in several states, possession and use continues to be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This includes the use of some CBD products. A post-offer, pre-employment drug test is a condition of employment.

Barrios Technology is an Equal Employment Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.