--- title: 'Staff Mechanical Design Engineer at Momentus Space LLC' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-mechanical-design-engineer-momentus-space-llc-san-jose-ca-dssd283qv618' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Staff Mechanical Design Engineer at Momentus Space LLC - **Company:** Momentus Space LLC - **Location:** San Jose CA, United States - **Posted:** 2026-06-18 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/momentus/jobs/6097183004 ## Job description ## OUR COMPANY As an early mover in the in-space transportation and infrastructure services, Momentus is at the forefront of the commercialization of space. With an experienced team of aerospace, propulsion, and robotics engineers, Momentus has developed a cost-effective and energy-efficient in-space transport system. ## OUR PEOPLE Daring problems require daring solutions.  We boldly charge into uncharted territory knowing that no matter the outcome we will benefit from the journey and move closer to our goals no matter what. Our teams know that working at Momentus means more than building innovative technology, it means creating entirely new markets in the space economy. We are level-headed, business-minded strategic thinkers intent on providing immediate value to our customers today while simultaneously preparing for the vast possibilities of the future. If this sounds like you, we should talk. ## JOB SUMMARY As the Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, you will serve as the mechanical technical authority for our spacecraft, leading hardware development from early concept through production deployment. This role will collaborate cross-functionally with Electrical, Systems, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver integrated hardware solutions. The ideal candidate should be accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment and quickly adapting to new challenges. ## Key Responsibilities - Own subsystem-level mechanical solutions, ensuring performance in demanding thermal and high-vibration environments - Represent the mechanical discipline in internal and external design reviews and customer engagements - Support hardware integration, verification, and production readiness activities within secure program environments - Work with structural analysts to ensure structural integrity of the spacecraft and all components during all phases of launch - Work with thermal analysts to ensure all components are maintained within acceptable temperature limits - Conduct mechanical testing of systems and components including vibration testing, static load testing, and shock testing - May be asked to support TVAC testing on an as-needed basis Required Skills and Experience - Demonstrated experience with detailed mechanical design, including technical subcontractor and vendor collaboration - Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) - Strong understanding of structural analysis techniques, including finite element analysis (FEA) and hand calculations - Strong understanding of drafting standards such as GD&T - Experience defining requirements for mechanical systems and components. - Familiarity with the space environment and how it affects mechanical hardware - Familiarity with material selection and material coatings for space applications - General understanding of spacecraft structural loads (quasi-static loads, random vibration, shock, thermo-mechanical) - Ability to work independently - Excellent technical communications skills - Good written and verbal communications skills Desired Skills and Experience: - Experience designing, manufacturing, and testing space hardware with demonstrated on-orbit success - Experience running structural vibration testing - Experience running TVAC tests - Structural and/or thermal analysis experience - Previous experience working on DoD and other USG development and deployment programs - Ability to hold and maintain a USG Security Clearance Education & Work Experience: - BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline - 12-15+ year relevant experience Compensation: Annual Base Salary Range: $190,000 - $215,000/per year Base pay is one part of our total compensation package (base+bonus+equity) and is determined within a range. Your actual base salary will be determined on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, and location.  Our benefit plans include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k retirement plan, short and long term disability and life insurance. We also offer flexible PTO, along with 11 paid holidays, sick time and paid parental leave. This is a full-time position in San Jose, California. This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. To all recruitment agencies: Momentus does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees or any company email. Momentus will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. ## About Momentus Space LLC ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Momentus Space is an American commercial space company providing in-space transportation, hosted payloads, and orbital infrastructure services using its proprietary Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV) powered by water-based propulsion. - **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: MNTS) - **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, United States - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Mikhail Kokorich ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing / In-Space Transportation & Infrastructure Services - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily serving commercial satellite operators, government agencies (NASA, DARPA, U.S. Space Force), and defense contractors. - **Mission or purpose statement**: To make new ways of operating in space possible by providing backbone infrastructure services that empower customers to use space in dynamic and beneficial ways. ## Products & Services - **Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV)**: A transfer and service vehicle that uses a proprietary Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) powered by water propellant. Provides orbital transportation, hosted payload services, and in-orbit servicing. - **Delivery Service**: Point-to-point transportation and deployment of customer payloads to desired orbits. - **Hosted Service**: Orbit transfer and maintenance, attitude control, and power/communications interfaces for telemetry, commanding, and data downlinking for the full mission duration. - **Tape Spring Solar Array (TASSA)**: An in-house developed technology demonstration for deployable solar arrays. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: ~$19.9 million (as of mid-2026) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of $1.1 million; Total funding raised of ~$363.7 million (including post-IPO rounds) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Partners include NASA, DARPA, U.S. Space Force, Caltech (Space-based Solar Power Project), SpaceX (launch provider). Investors include seed and post-IPO equity backers. - **Growth Signals**: - Successfully launched three Vigoride missions (Vigoride-1, Vigoride-5, Vigoride-6) on SpaceX Transporter rideshare missions between 2022-2023. - Transitioned focus to national security space and advanced orbital robotics under CEO John Rood (former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy). - Active job postings up 1,200% year-over-year, with 13 open positions as of mid-2026. - Employee headcount grew 9.1% YoY to 41 people. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary water plasma propulsion**: The Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) uses water as propellant—a safe, low-cost, and widely available consumable—differentiating it from traditional chemical or electric propulsion systems. - **National security focus**: Leadership with deep Pentagon and defense connections positions the company for classified and government contracts, a high-moat segment. - **First-mover in in-space infrastructure**: One of the few commercial companies offering orbital transfer and hosted payload services as a core business, not just a rideshare add-on. ## Strategic Focus - **National security and defense**: Under current CEO John Rood, the company is pivoting toward serving the U.S. Space Force, DARPA, and other defense agencies with orbital robotics and secure in-space services. - **Commercial expansion**: Booking customers for late 2026 and into 2027 for delivery and hosted payload missions. - **Technology maturation**: Continuing development of the Vigoride OSV and MET propulsion, along with new in-space assembly capabilities. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & environment**: A small, fast-moving team (41 employees) with a startup ethos, focused on solving hard engineering problems in space. However, employee reviews on LinkedIn rate the culture at 2.2/5.0 and career growth at 2.3/5.0, indicating challenges in workplace satisfaction. - **Remote/hybrid policy**: Not explicitly stated, but headquarters is in San Jose, CA with presence in Canada and Thailand. Likely requires on-site presence for engineering roles given the hardware focus. - **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space technology (water propulsion, orbital robotics) with direct impact on national security missions. High growth in hiring suggests expanding teams. - **Engineering culture**: Strong technical team—20 of 41 employees are in technical roles. Many hires come from SpaceX, Maxar, NASA JPL, and Lockheed Martin. Active roles include Thermal Engineer, Chief Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, and Structural Analyst. ## Sources 1. [momentus.space](https://momentus.space/) 2. [momentus.space/missions](https://momentus.space/missions/) 3. [momentus.space/services](https://momentus.space/services/) 4. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/momentusinc) 5. [momentus.space/press](https://momentus.space/press/) ## Other roles at Momentus Space LLC - [SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sec-reporting-technical-accounting-manager-momentus-space-llc-remote-7ytepnhjm96w) - [Chief Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/chief-engineer-momentus-space-llc-san-jose-ca-h79gdy1htxas) — San Jose CA, United States - [Systems Architect Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-architect-engineer-momentus-space-llc-san-jose-ca-2fbbhv893knp) — San Jose CA, United States - [Business Development Capture Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-capture-manager-momentus-space-llc-3jrcts7c4m83) - [Structural Analyst Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-analyst-engineer-momentus-space-llc-san-jose-ca-11s01m28e21g) — San Jose CA, United States - [Power Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/power-systems-engineer-momentus-space-llc-san-jose-ca-sf78m0amysqg) — San Jose CA, United States - [Staff Mechanical Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-mechanical-design-engineer-regent-north-kingstown-rhode-island-3gz2bq91vhrw) — North Kingstown Rhode Island, United States