Principal / Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (All Genders)

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. Key Responsibilities: * Technical Leadership * Work closely with the ECLSS Principal Engineer and other Nyx Crew team members to further the development of the Nyx Crew ECLS Systems. * Lead the development of ECLSS components and sub-systems from concept and requirement generation through Critical Design Review and eventual Flight Hardware delivery with the support and oversight of the ECLSS Principal Engineer. * Design and develop test rigs and test objectives for components and subsystems. Vehicle Architecture * Lead development, functional and risk-reduction testing for responsible components, and/or subsystems. * Develop and validate analytical models to predict system behavior and inform design decisions. * Conduct component trade studies and make recommendations that balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk. Program Execution * Plan, coordinate, and oversee development activities to achieve technical, schedule, and budget objectives. * Manage Product Lifecycle Management workflows, Bill of Materials configurations, and Interface Control Documents. * Identify and mitigate technical risks, resolve anomalies, and deliver qualified flight hardware aligned with program milestones. * Support the creation of detailed engineering documentation, including design reviews, test plans, test and analysis reports, and technical specifications. Team Leadership & Capability Development * Provide technical mentorship to lower level engineers and technicians. * Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Stakeholder, Supplier & Cross-Functional Management * Lead technical interactions with suppliers, development partners, and external stakeholders, including component selection, procurement, oversight, and acceptance activities. * Collaborate closely with subsystems, MAIT, and program teams to ensure successful system integration. * Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations while ensuring alignment between propulsion activities and broader vehicle development objectives. Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (preferred) or Aerospace Engineering. * Minimum 10 years of experience in technical coordination of aerospace or spacecraft projects, from early development to qualification. * Experience in design processes, including concept development, trade studies, testing, and optimization for manufacturability and reliability. * Experience in developing and leading component testing campaigns, including test objective generation and test rig design and development. * Experience with 3D modeling software. * Experience with ECLSS systems, including pressure systems, air circulation systems, water systems and/or atmospheric monitoring & processing systems. * Experience with environmental testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, etc. * Experience with ECSS and NASA standards is a plus. * Familiarity with tools like GitHub and Python is a plus. Skills and Behaviors: * Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations. * Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to ensure successful project execution. * Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. * Strong organizing and prioritization of tasks. * Positive and flexible attitude to get the job done. * Demonstrates behaviors consistent with The Exploration Company’s core values of Vision, Competence, Integrity, and Passion. Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind  * We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them   * We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more. As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing. When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Position Summary ONSITE in Carson, CA We is seeking a Principal Electronics Engineer to lead PCB design and development for power electronics applications, including motor drive systems and EV charging platforms. This is a hands-on principal-level role for an engineer who has previously held an equivalent position and is ready to take ownership of the full electrical design lifecycle — from schematic and PCB layout through contract manufacturing, production support, and in-service root cause investigation. The successful candidate will serve as the technical authority on all design aspects of the PCB, working cross-functionally to ensure designs are robust, manufacturable, and field-reliable. Key Responsibilities * Own and secure all design aspects of PCB-based power electronics assemblies, acting as the principal technical authority throughout the design lifecycle. * Lead and contribute directly to PCB layout activities, including component placement, power/signal routing, thermal management, and layout for high-current and high-frequency power stages. * Apply hands-on PCB layout expertise to motor drive and power conversion applications such as EV chargers and other power electronics systems. * Analyze design and PCB-level issues identified during bring-up, test, and validation, driving corrective actions from root cause to resolution. * Partner with Contract Manufacturing (CM) partners and PCB fabrication houses (PCB House) throughout prototyping, NPI, and volume production. * Lead root cause investigations for issues arising in production and in the field (in-service), coordinating with quality, manufacturing, and field support teams. * Support design reviews, DFM/DFT assessments, and manufacturability improvements in collaboration with CM and PCB fabrication partners. * Provide technical mentorship and design guidance to junior and mid-level electrical/PCB engineers. * Collaborate with systems, mechanical, and software engineering teams to ensure integrated product performance and reliability. * Document design decisions, test results, and root cause findings to support program reviews and continuous improvement. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field. * Prior experience in a Principal (or equivalent senior) Electronics Engineer role, with demonstrated ownership of PCB design programs. * Direct, hands-on experience with PCB layout and the ability to analyze and troubleshoot design issues on actual PCBs. * Experience with Contract Manufacturing (CM) engagement, including working directly with PCB houses/fabricators. * Demonstrated experience conducting root cause investigations for issues found in production and in-service (field) environments. * Strong understanding of power electronics design principles, including power stage layout, thermal considerations, and EMI/EMC best practices. Preferred Qualifications * PCB development experience specifically within power electronics and motor drive applications. * Experience with EV chargers or similar power conversion/power electronics products. * Familiarity with high-power/high-current PCB layout techniques and associated thermal and safety design considerations.   Salary Range: $130,000-$145,000/K The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy. Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process. Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.