Mechanical Engineer

Tendeg LLC is a premier spacecraft deployables company. Our novel designs are enabling exciting missions providing high gain antennas for sensor applications and communications. We have 12 antennas on-orbit and 20 flight deliverables occurring in 2024. Our missions include Earth Science (weather, surface deformation and change); LEO, GEO and lunar communications; synthetic aperture radar (SAR); and unique radio frequency sensors for commercial and government applications. We have apertures from 50cm to 10m, VHF to Q/V-band, and precise 2-axis gimbals. Consider joining our innovative and rapidly growing team.

Tendeg’s Philosophy

We encourage innovation and entrepreneurial energy. We are successful because we take a unique approach to solving problems. We look for creative thinkers and self-motivated people that can collaborate within our open team environment. TENDEG is an acronym for TENacious Design and Engineering Group. Obviously, tenacity is another trait we embrace.

Title: Mechanical Engineer

Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt

Pay Range:$90,000.00-$130,000.00 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data)

Location: Louisville, CO

About the role: This position is in the Advanced Materials and Applications (AMA) Group at Tendeg, LLC. As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be supporting internal research and development efforts in novel material and product development, testing, and qualification. The AMA team operates on the frontlines of product development, investigating the feasibility of new concepts and supporting integration with our highly demanding product lines. This position will work heavily with soft goods (textiles and fiber-based components) in spacecraft deployable structures.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer that will support one of the following programs:

• INCUS: NASA has selected Tendeg to deliver four Ka-band deployable antennas for a new Earth science mission called Investigation of Convective Updrafts (INCUS) that will study the behavior of tropical storms and thunderstorms, including their impacts on weather and climate models. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-selects-new-mission- to-study-storms-impacts-on-climate-models
• 2-axis Gimbal Antennas: Tendeg has multiple contracts to develop, fabricate, test and deliver flight units for deployable high gain antennas from X-band to Q/V-band. These are for sensor and communication missions for LEO, MEO and lunar applications.
• Perimeter Truss Reflectors: Tendeg has multiple contracts to deliver large aperture antennas for GEO communications, SAR, and national security
  
  

What You'll Do

• Create designs for high precision deployable spacecraft structures that leverage lightweight material solutions, interface with complex deployment mechanisms, and meet ambitious payload performance requirements.
• Sheperd product development through initial ideation, prototyping, qualification, and production.
• Develop, manage, and execute experimental campaigns, prototyping and development plans, and qualification testing plans in cross-discipline and cross-program collaborations.
• Collaborate with the AMA team as well as the design and analysis teams to meet project goals and deliverables.
• Work with rapidly evolving projects in a hands-on environment. Exercise the ability to quickly pivot and offer creative solutions to unforeseen challenges.
• Perform experiments to determine the fundamental properties and behaviors of novel materials in fight-like, operational conditions.
• Perform trade studies in support of new concept development or product improvement efforts.
• Develop new material processing procedures, product manufacturing procedures, and product qualification procedures.
• Create drawings of designs, including plans for implementation of hardware. Work with technicians in a detail-oriented environment to ensure successful integration.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Key Job Requirements

• 3+ years of applicable experience.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or another related field. MS or PhD preferred.
• Mechanical engineering design skills applicable to high precision deployable spacecraft structures. Design work will deal primarily with the precision production of complex assemblies featuring soft goods, textiles, and fibrous components. Preferred CAD experience is Solidworks.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong experimental skills including test plan design and management, application of theory and fundamentals in practical and measurable environments, deep knowledge of metrology systems and test instrumentations, both hardware and software, and demonstrated talent for deduction- to draw conclusions from limited information. Experience testing spacecraft components in relevant environmental conditions is a plus.
• Strong analysis skills including free body diagram development, classical mechanics, closed form hand calculations, and finite element analysis.
• Knowledge of materials and fabrication methods, specifically aerospace materials (metallics, composites, adhesives, bonding) that are typical for precision structures and space missions. Experience developing novel composites formulations is a plus.
• Proven ability to work in fast paced, multidisciplinary team environments.
• Effective communication skills (oral, written, and presentation); comfortable working in a team environment; high energy and desire to learn.
• Experience with textiles or fiber arts is a strong plus. Sharing a portfolio of past projects is highly encouraged.
  
  

Benefits: As we are growing and investing in our company, we invest in our team. We recognize employee contributions through competitive salaries and bonuses and take pride in taking care of our employees. Here is how we show our appreciation:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical/Dental and Vision Insurance Plans
• Tax Advantage Account (Flexible Spending Account) (FSA)
• Retirement Savings Plan-Traditional 401(k) Plan
• Employer Paid Short Term Disability and Basic Life, AD&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Long Term Disability
• EAP Program
• Company SWAG
• Company sponsored lunches/outings
• Dog friendly work environment
• Free company parking
• Break rooms fully stocked with snacks, drinks, and an espresso coffee machine
  
  

US Citizenship Is Required

Tendeg LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, national origin, veteran status and any other protected factor.