---
title: 'Associate Mechanical Engineer at Terran Orbital Corporation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-mechanical-engineer-terran-orbital-corporation-irvine-pfkbzpx0ewab'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-10'
---

# Associate Mechanical Engineer at Terran Orbital Corporation

- **Company:** Terran Orbital Corporation
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Compensation:** $85k–$100k
- **Posted:** 2026-11-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-10
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/terranorbitalcorporation/jobs/4487603009

## Job description

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Terran Orbital is seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Manager, the Associate Mechanical Engineer will contribute to all aspects of spacecraft mechanical design, including spacecraft layout, structural and thermal sub‑systems, mechanism design, payload and launch vehicle integration, through all stages of the product lifecycle. The Associate Mechanical Engineer will help turn designs into reality via prototyping, development testing, and low‑rate initial production.

## Key Duties and Responsibilities

- Support the mechanical engineering design and development of spacecraft and spacecraft sub‑systems including flight hardware, mechanisms, and ground support equipment.
- Model spacecraft and ground support equipment mechanical parts, cable harnesses, and assemblies in accordance with industry best practices.
- Perform vehicle and sub‑system analysis using hand calculations, finite element tools, and other relevant techniques to support robust early‑stage design.
- Create and maintain design documentation, including drawings, Bills of Material, Interface Control Drawings, Compliance Verification Matrices, and Design Notebooks.
- Generate technical content in support of internal and external design reviews.
- In coordination with Electrical Integration and Harness Manufacturing teams, support development of spacecraft electrical cabling solutions, including connector selection, bundle design, routing, retention, and integration instructions.
- Contribute mechanical engineering expertise to refine production workflows, assembly sequences, and testing protocols to support efficient initial production.
- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, automation, and production personnel to implement design‑for‑manufacturing and design‑for‑assembly best practices.
- Stay current with advancements in technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes, and apply this knowledge to enhance spacecraft design and performance.
- Support process development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
- 0+ years (Associate Engineer - level 1) of experience designing mechanical systems in space, aerospace, automotive, or a similar engineering sector.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, Creo, or similar CAD software.
- Ability to interpret and apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing in accordance with ASME Y14.5.
- Hands‑on experience with hardware manufacture, inspection, assembly, and/or testing.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively within a collaborative engineering environment.
- Experience working with internal or external customers.
- Passion for space technology and a commitment to contributing to innovative engineering solutions.
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

## Preferred Qualifications and Skills

- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
- Experience supporting product development across multiple stages of the product lifecycle.
- Experience in a production environment within the space or aerospace industry.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!

Salary Range $85,000—$100,000 USD

Full-time positions only:

## Benefits

- 100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
- 401(k) Match
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Education Reimbursement
- Competitive Paid Parental Leave

## About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at [www.terranorbital.com](https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcts.businesswire.com%2Fct%2FCT%3Fid%3Dsmartlink%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.terranorbital.com%26esheet%3D53008617%26newsitemid%3D20221206005473%26lan%3Den-US%26anchor%3Dwww.terranorbital.com%26index%3D2%26md5%3D1d19ac463131a0a02242db978d78b538&data=05%7C01%7Ccathy.juntunen%40terranorbital.com%7C47606181b4484a63efa008dae156d397%7C4a63c5faf6154f48ae0840e5f0940b9d%7C0%7C0%7C638070060273120323%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=e28oDVJf%2Fk2x%2B6jTPNvd9P1sIPFpK0sXHwDhPgl7mDE%3D&reserved=0)

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant 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. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.

## About Terran Orbital Corporation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, delivering flight-proven spacecraft and end-to-end mission support primarily to the U.S. and Allied defense, civil, and commercial space sectors.
- **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: LLAP) – acquired by Lockheed Martin Corporation in August 2024 and now operates as a subsidiary.
- **Headquarters**: Irvine, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2013
- **Founders**: Marc Bell and Anthony Previte

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aerospace
- **Target customers**: Government agencies (DoD, NASA, ESA, SDA, EDA), prime defense contractors (Lockheed Martin), and commercial satellite operators (EchoStar, Rivada Space Networks)
- **Mission statement**: “We are not just building satellites; we are transforming the future of space.” The company focuses on enabling affordable, rapid, and reliable access to space for critical missions.

## Products & Services
- **End-to-End Satellite Solutions**: Design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support for small satellites, including CubeSats and microsatellites.
- **In-House Component Manufacturing**: Terran Orbital manufactures approximately 85% of the components in its standard spacecraft platforms internally, reducing supply chain risk and accelerating delivery timelines.
- **Mission-Specific Platforms**: Custom spacecraft for defense, intelligence, Earth observation, communications, and deep-space exploration (e.g., NASA’s CAPSTONE lunar mission).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Market cap ~$51.3M (as of mid-2026); acquired by Lockheed Martin in August 2024 for $450M.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $135.9M (latest fiscal year); total funding raised ~$1.07B.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Lockheed Martin (now parent company), NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), European Defence Agency (EDA), Space Development Agency (SDA), Rivada Space Networks ($2.4B contract for 300 satellites), EchoStar.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 320 (up 8.4% YoY); 27 active job postings; won Built In’s 2024 Best Places to Work Award; expanded manufacturing facilities in Irvine, CA, Florida, and Italy; delivered first commercial intelligence community CubeSat constellation in under 5 months.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical Integration**: 85% in-house component manufacturing allows for faster turnaround, lower costs, and higher quality control compared to competitors that rely on external suppliers.
- **Flight Heritage**: Nearly 1,000 months of combined on-orbit operations across numerous missions, providing proven reliability.
- **Speed to Orbit**: Ability to go from contract to launch in less than five months for certain constellations.
- **Trusted Partner**: Serves demanding customers including NASA, Lockheed Martin, and defense agencies, with a track record of mission success.

## Strategic Focus
- **Defense & Intelligence Growth**: Expanding capabilities for national security and allied defense customers, including proliferated low-Earth orbit constellations.
- **Deep Space & Lunar Missions**: Building on the CAPSTONE lunar mission to support NASA’s Artemis program and Gateway station.
- **Manufacturing Scale**: Scaling production capacity through new facilities and automation to handle large constellation orders (e.g., Rivada’s 300 satellites).
- **Lockheed Martin Integration**: Leveraging parent company resources and broader portfolio to accelerate innovation and market reach.

## Why Work Here
- **Impactful Work**: Employees contribute directly to missions that shape national defense, Earth observation, and deep-space exploration.
- **Culture & Values**: Emphasis on integrity, collaboration, relentless curiosity, and commitment to customers and community. Employee resource groups include Terran WISE (Women in Space and Engineering) and various Terran Clubs.
- **Benefits**: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) match; tuition reimbursement; paid parental leave; flexible time off; unlimited snacks and beverages; onsite gym at Irvine headquarters; short- and long-term disability; mental health EAP.
- **Work Environment**: Predominantly on-site due to manufacturing and integration roles, with opportunities in engineering, IT, and program management. Offices in Irvine, CA; Florida; and Italy.
- **Career Growth**: Active hiring with 27 open positions; opportunities for learning and leadership across engineering, production, and mission assurance.

## Sources
1. [Terran Orbital – Homepage](https://terranorbital.com/)
2. [Terran Orbital – About Us](https://terranorbital.com/about-us/)
3. [Terran Orbital – History](https://terranorbital.com/who-we-are/)
4. [Terran Orbital – Careers](https://terranorbital.com/careers/)
5. [LinkedIn – Terran Orbital Corporation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/terranorbital)

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