---
title: 'Mechanical Engineer III - Spacecraft Programs at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-iii-spacecraft-programs-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-z77pyan1nq8t'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Mechanical Engineer III - Spacecraft Programs at Quantum Space

- **Company:** Quantum Space
- **Location:** Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-05-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193142009

## Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own flight hardware development on our Spacecraft Programs. This role is built for an engineer who can take a subsystem/component from requirements to a released design, through build, integration, and test—while collaborating tightly with AIT and manufacturing.

Senior-level expectations include independent ownership of deliverables and leadership of technical execution for meaningful scopes.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

- Own mechanical components/subsystems end-to-end: requirements, design, analysis coordination, release, and integration support
- Develop CAD and drawings in Creo; apply GD&T and define inspectable requirements
- Drive interface closure: envelope/keep-outs, fastener patterns, datums, alignment needs, harness/thermal accommodations
- Support spacecraft build and integration: issue triage, rapid root-cause collaboration, and corrective design updates
- Develop and execute verification plans: functional checks, fit checks, environmental test prep support, and acceptance/qualification evidence generation
- Support design reviews (PDR/CDR), test readiness reviews, and configuration boards with clear technical content
- Coordinate with suppliers and procurement: clarify requirements, review vendor designs, and support receiving/inspection disposition

What It Takes

- Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 7+ years relevant experience with aerospace/space hardware development
- Proficiency in Creo; working knowledge of Windchill or similar PLM
- Strong GD&T fundamentals (ASME Y14.5) and drawing package quality discipline
- Experience supporting hardware through build/test cycles, not just design-in-a-vacuum
- Work location within the DMV area

Nice-to-Have Experience

- Spacecraft integration exposure: mass properties, alignment, configuration capture, as-built management
- Experience writing or reviewing work instructions / build travelers
- Familiarity with environmental testing and test readiness processes

## What You’ll Get

- Ownership – Real flight hardware responsibility
- Innovation – Solve challenging mechanical design, integration, and verification problems while advancing the spacecraft technologies that enable next-generation space mobility.
- Impact – Direct contribution to mission success
- Growth – Path to subsystem leadership and principal ownership
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

Location: Rockville, MD

Base Salary: $145,000 to $195,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

## About Quantum Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC)
- **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale.

## Products & Services
- **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures.
- **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence.
- **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available.
- **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator).
- **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits.
- **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration.
- **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology.
- **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures.
- **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran.

## Strategic Focus
- **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture.
- **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC.
- **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform.
- **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority.
- **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts.
- **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK).
- **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.
- **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations.

## Sources
1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/)
2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us)
4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/)
5. [Greenhouse Careers Page](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193183009)

## Other roles at Quantum Space

- [Tier 2 IT Helpdesk Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/tier-2-it-helpdesk-technician-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-jr9f99rwzsqb) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Accounting Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/accounting-manager-quantum-space-rockville-et6azk4depam) — Rockville, MD
- [Test Conductor](https://feeny.ai/job/test-conductor-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-ca-or-denver-0fn7yejg76wk) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne CA OR Denver, CO
- [Senior FP&A / Program Controller](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-fp-a-program-controller-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-aebq0ng5bhdb) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Reliability Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/reliability-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-hf6wn74hcyrs) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Mechanical Technician I](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-technician-i-quantum-space-rockville-8dny1y8bdxv1) — Rockville, MD
- [Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer-quantum-space-qa1t3bxv3k77) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-zm632f2k9vyt) — Rockville, MD
- [Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-gnc-integration-test-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-92f2jcrt0k65) — Rockville, MD
- [Capture Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/capture-manager-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-602yj3s3rbr4) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA