Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer Compensation: $90K–$160K base + equity Location: Hawthorne, CA (5 days/week in office) Work Policy: On-site only Relocation: $5K–$10K assistance available Stage: Series A space technology startup | $26.5M funding | Founded 2021

Who Are We? We’re building a constellation of spacecraft designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth after dark—extending solar energy beyond sunset. Backed by top-tier investors and led by a former SpaceX engineer, we’re developing novel space hardware with our first launch targeted for 2026.

This is hands-on, high-ownership engineering at the edge of what’s possible. We move quickly, prototype aggressively, and expect engineers to drive real change—not just support it.

What’s in It for You? You’ll bring electromechanical systems to life on hardware that will operate in space.

You’ll design and own actuation systems that physically deploy reflectors in orbit.

You’ll work across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and avionics boundaries.

You’ll prototype, test, iterate, and validate systems under real constraints.

You’ll receive competitive compensation, meaningful equity, 100% employer-covered base medical/dental/vision plans, 401K access, commuter benefits, unlimited PTO (with minimum usage), and daily healthy lunches.

What Will You Do? Design and implement actuation and control schemes for spacecraft reflector deployment systems.

Design, program, tune, and debug motor control hardware from scratch.

Take electromechanical systems from concept through qualification to on-orbit operations.

Own integration between actuators, controllers, and the broader avionics system.

Rapidly prototype and de-risk complex deployment mechanisms through hands-on testing.

Investigate anomalies and refine performance through iterative debugging and system-level thinking.

Collaboratively design complex, interdependent systems across hardware and software boundaries.

What Will You Need? Experience designing and programming motor controllers from scratch.

Deep understanding of motors and motor control theory.

Hands-on experience debugging novel actuation systems in fast, scrappy environments.

Mechanical design experience sufficient for rapid prototyping and integration work.

Strong track record of project ownership and delivering complex systems—not just supporting testing or compliance.

Ability to operate in a high-ownership, fast-moving startup environment.

Strongly Preferred BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.

Experience participating in anomaly investigations for space mechanisms.

Background in aerospace, satellites, automotive performance systems, robotics, medical devices, or other high-reliability hardware domains.

We are especially excited about engineers who have done something exceptional—built ambitious hardware independently, led bold projects early in their careers, or taken unconventional paths while demonstrating unusual depth and drive.

If you want to fuse electrical engineering, programming, and mechanical systems into hardware that will deploy in orbit—and help power Earth after dark—this is your opportunity.