Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job description

Mission Control is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with a Rover Development Facility in St. Mary’s, Ontario. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented individual to join our team. About Us Mission Control empowers explorers by innovating to make advanced technology viable for use in space. Using Spacefarer™ and SpacefarerAI™ , customers can simplify mission development and operations while unlocking the potential of new scientific and commercial opportunities on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and beyond. Spacefarer™ is being trusted for multiple missions to the Moon by mission controllers, scientists, and software developers who seek faster deployments, lower-cost mission development, and valuable data returns. Mission Control launched the Persistence Mission– Canada’s giant leap for AI in space – in June of 2025. Mission Control is inspired by a vision of the world in which access to space is ubiquitous and inspires all humans to treasure planet Earth and marvel at the universe. Please visit our website to learn more about our team and ongoing projects: . About the Job Mission Control is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to play a key technical leadership role in expanding our portfolio of autonomous and robotic space systems. In this role, you will own the mechanical, structural, and thermal design and analysis of spaceflight hardware, guiding programs from concept through flight qualification. You will act as a subject matter expert (SME) in thermal and structural engineering, shaping design approaches, mentoring team members, and driving engineering excellence across projects. This role involves full-cycle project participation: from mission concept and requirements definition, through detailed design, analysis, testing, to integration and qualification. You could be a good fit for this role if you are passionate about making an impact on the space sector and want to contribute to growing a small company from the ground up! You will be exposed to a wide variety of tasks with the potential to make a difference in the emerging space economy, so you must be a versatile self-starter who works well in teams and is not afraid to learn something new. You will support and become a critical member of our team – a team of engineers, scientists, and space enthusiasts, who are passionate about being part of humanity’s next bold steps in space exploration, with a view to inspiring the next generation and the public through our work and our contributions to exploring the solar system! Tasks and Responsibilities As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will: Lead mechanical and thermal design for avionics, optical assemblies, mechanism or other mechanical subsystems tailored for the space environment (Earth orbit, lunar surface, deep space, planetary exploration, etc.) Serve as technical authority for structural and thermal analysis, including FEA modelling, margin assessment, and design validation Develop, allocate, and manage mechanical requirements and interfaces, ensuring traceability from concept through to verification Participate in the full engineering lifecycle, from trade studies and conceptual layouts to detailed mechanical drawings and part selection Lead design trades, risk assessments, and performance optimization (mass, stiffness, thermal balance, reliability) Drive hardware through the build cycle: manufacturing, integration, and qualification, including support for reviews and documentation Develop and execute test plans for thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, and other environmental qualification Troubleshoot failures, identify root cause, resolve issues encountered during fabrication, test, and integration, and implement corrective actions across design and process Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (systems, electrical, software, science), suppliers, and customers in the development, test and integration of space hardware Conduct design reviews and ensure compliance with program requirements and industry standards Select and specify mechanical and thermal components and materials Guide supplier selection, proving technical oversight, and component qualification support Author and review technical documentation, including requirements specs, analysis reports, design documents, test procedures, and as-built records Specify, design, and validate mechanical and thermal interfaces between avionics, embedded computers, sensors, actuators, mechanisms, payloads and users. Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of rigorous mechanical engineering and technical excellence. Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and standards Skills and Experience As a Senior Mechanical Engineer you have: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or closely related engineering discipline 8–12+ years of progressive experience in mechanical/thermal/structural design for aerospace or space systems and a proven track record delivering flight-ready hardware Demonstrated success delivering flight-qualified or space-ready hardware Advanced proficiency in FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent) for thermal and structural analysis Experience across the full hardware lifecycle: concept, design, analysis, build, test, and qualification Strong background, and hands-on experience, in environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, etc.) and correlation with models Familiarity with spacecraft mechanical components, adhesives, thermal hardware, and industry standards or guidelines (e.g., NASA, ECSS, MIL-STD) Experience with requirements management, document management systems, and configuration control processes Experience supporting mission reviews and customer-facing technical discussions Ability to lead technical discussions and collaborate across disciplines. Excellent technical problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills Soft skills: Strong technical leadership and decision-making capability under uncertainty, with the confidence to make high-stakes engineering judgments when data is incomplete. Ability to mentor, guide, and elevate team performance, fostering a culture of technical rigor and knowledge-sharing that strengthens the team's collective capability Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, capable of distilling complex concepts into clear recommendations for design reviews, customer meetings, and executive updates. Proven ability to prioritize across multiple programs and manage competing deadlines, maintaining focus and delivery quality when balancing parallel hardware development efforts at different lifecycle stages. Proactive mindset focused on ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement, with a habit of identifying process gaps and driving practical changes to engineering workflows, tools, and standards. Bonus points for: Experience with optical systems or precision mechanisms, including alignment, tolerancing, or qualification of high-accuracy assemblies for spaceflight or analogous environments. Having designed and built something that survived in space, with firsthand experience navigating the realities of launch loads, thermal extremes, and on-orbit operations. Experience with lunar rover design, development, and testing, including familiarity with the unique challenges of mobility systems, terrain interaction, thermal cycling, or reduced-gravity qualification approaches. Special Comments Security: Successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a security clearance in Canada at the reliability status level (and potentially at the higher levels), and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP). Due to the security clearance required for Mission Control's facility, only Canadian Citizen's and Permanent Residents are eligible at this time. Salary: The salary range for this position is $105,000- $170,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience Location This position may be based in Ottawa or St. Mary’s, Ontario. The successful candidate must live near one of our office locations, or be willing to relocate. Some travel may be required at certain times for this role, always following the Health and Safety Guidance of the Government of Canada. What’s In It For You? Be on the forefront of space exploration and the emerging commercial space industry. Work to solve problems with a team of intelligent, fun people! Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Package including vacation pay, wellness plan (health, vision, dental) and unlimited unpaid time off. Relocation assistance for eligible employees. Two weeks of sick/personal leave per year. Employee Stock Option plan for equity sharing. Flexible working hours. Work in a respectful and inclusive workplace. It is extremely important to us that all employees feel safe and supported at work, and feel able to bring their whole selves to work. Be part of a family-friendly company, where we understand the needs of working parents with young children (because many of us are too!). Bi-weekly coffee chats for connecting with colleagues socially, and for mentorship by senior staff. How To Apply Please apply directly through this posting, or send your application by email to . Application materials include: Cover letter and resume as a single PDF (required) Portfolio material, references, or other indications of exceptional past work (optional) During the hiring process we may ask to see examples of previous work or ask for a small project. As part of our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we accept and encourage anonymized resumes. We will accept applications until the position is filled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.