Outpost · 2 hours ago
Mechanical Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$95K/yr - $150K/yr
3+ years expOutpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space, building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely. They are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own the design and development of atmospheric recovery systems, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the mechanical designs meet precision and performance requirements.
Advanced MaterialsAerospaceLogisticsManufacturing
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Design and develop mechanical systems for atmospheric recovery, including deployable structures, aerodynamic decelerators, recovery mechanisms, airframe interfaces, and precision landing hardware
Own hardware through the full lifecycle: concept, requirements, CAD, FEA, prototyping, assembly, qualification, and flight
Perform structural, thermal, and mechanism analyses to validate designs under extreme loads, temperatures, and dynamic environments
Lead mechanical design integration between rigid structures, paraglider systems, soft goods, and flight hardware
Partner closely with GNC and aerodynamics teams to ensure mechanical designs enable required precision, controllability, and performance
Develop test plans and support ground, wind-tunnel, and flight tests for atmospheric recovery subsystems
Drive design reviews (PDR/CDR) and prepare clear documentation, drawings, BOMs, and work instructions
Qualification
Required
3-5 years industry experience in mechanical design for aerospace hardware
Work on-site in Playa Vista, California
Strong proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or similar) + mechanical analysis tools (structural/thermal in Ansys - Solidworks acceptable)
Experience designing structures, mechanisms, deployables, and aerodynamic structures (parachutes/paragliders, flaps, linkages, hinges, etc.)
Deep understanding of load path, interfaces, and environmental requirements for high-energy flight environments
Experience taking hardware from concept to production and/or flight
Comfortable working in ambiguous environments and iterating quickly with cross-functional teams
Comfortable executing rapid, hands-on prototypes to support fast design–build–test cycles
Excellent documentation, communication, and technical writing skills
Preferred
Experience with reentry systems, atmospheric flight vehicles, TPS interfaces, or parachute/paraglider systems
Background integrating soft goods with rigid structures
Experience in hypersonic, supersonic, or high-aero-load environments
Field test experience (drop tests, flight tests, parachute deployments, etc.)
Familiarity with DOF-limited mechanisms and precision actuation in harsh environments
Benefits
Incentive Equity
Annual Performance-Based Bonus
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
PTO
401k with Company match
Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee
Company
Outpost
Outpost is a logistics company that uses a platform that launches on commercial rockets and glides back from orbit to deliver tons of cargo.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$32.5MKey Investors
Moonshots Capital
2024-12-01Grant· $18.5M
2024-09-15Seed· $6.9M
2022-08-30Seed· $7.1M
Leadership Team
Jason Dunn
Co-Founder and CEO
Amir Blachman
President
Recent News
2025-11-25
2025-11-01
2025-09-17
Company data provided by crunchbase