Senior Mechanical Engineer

Work Location: Albuquerque, NM

Clearance Requirement: This position requires an active Top Secret security clearance (with eligibility for SAP access); must be able to maintain and upgrade as needed.

Employment Type: Full-time

About Us

BlackVe, Inc. is a mission-first, dynamic, and innovative national security-focused company focused on emerging space and advanced technologies dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence in support of our government customers.

Job Description

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at BlackVe, Inc, you will play an important 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 BlackVe exciting and challenging. As a senior 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.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• 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.
• Work closely with other engineering teams, program management, assembly, and test teams to resolve technical challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with 5 to 10 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 executing 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 national security space systems
• Experience with control of sensitive and confidential information as required by company standards

Location and Travel Requirements

This position is based in Albuquerque, NM and requires approximately 10% travel to customer sites, partner facilities, or test/launch locations.

Why Join Us?

• Mission first-Always. We prioritize delivering results that directly support space and intelligence community programs and national security objectives.
• We operate as one team, grounded in trust, accountability, and open collaboration, where individuals actively support one another to achieve shared mission success.
• Work on high-impact programs across space, ISR, and advanced technology domains supporting DoD and IC customers.
• Ownership-driven culture is founded in teamwork where every employee is an owner, with equity participation and a direct stake in our success.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including flexible time off; 401(k) with company contribution
• Constant opportunities for program and professional impact.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(A)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest on the form below. If there are any issues with applying or inquiries please email to hiring@blackve.us.