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Head of Mechanical Engineering

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About Northwood:

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood.

Job Level:

The level of this position will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. We are open to considering candidates of varying experience levels, from mid-career to principal.

Role Overview:

Northwood is seeking an accomplished and visionary Head of Mechanical Engineering to lead the development of precision mechanical systems in support of advanced RF and antenna technologies. This role will oversee the full mechanical engineering domain, including the design and integration of mechanisms, structural components, electrical interfaces, radomes, and reflectors. As a key member of the engineering leadership team, you will drive innovation, set technical direction, and lead a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers to deliver cutting-edge hardware solutions. This position requires strong technical expertise, cross-functional coordination, and people management skills. You will work closely with RF engineers, antenna designers, electrical engineers, systems engineers, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust, scalable, and high-performance mechanical solutions.

Responsibilities:

Lead and mentor a growing team of mechanical engineers across multiple disciplines, including mechanisms, structures, radomes, and electrical-mechanical integration
Set the mechanical engineering strategy and establish design standards to ensure consistency, reliability, and manufacturability across all projects
Oversee the design and development of high-precision actuators and structural components for RF and antenna systems
Ensure effective collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet product design goals and interface requirements, including mechanical-electrical integration and RF performance compatibility
Direct the execution of kinematic, structural, thermal, and fatigue analyses to validate performance under real-world environmental conditions
Provide technical oversight and review of all mechanical subsystem designs, test plans, and integration activities
Define and oversee mechanical validation and verification activities, including environmental testing, vibration testing, and RF system-level integration tests
Drive continuous improvement in design processes, tool development, cost optimization, and performance enhancement
Support production ramp-up by guiding tooling development, assembly process design, and troubleshooting issues during manufacturing and field deployment

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of mechanical engineering experience with a focus on precision mechanisms and structural systems
5+ years of engineering leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing high-performing teams
Extensive experience with CAD tools (e.g., Siemens NX, SolidWorks) and mechanical simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS)
Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including kinematics, materials science, and structural analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field
5+ years of experience designing and managing actuation systems for antennas or RF structures
Familiarity with manufacturing methods such as machining, injection molding, welding, composite fabrication, and additive manufacturing
Experience designing and integrating radomes, reflectors, and other RF-related mechanical structures
Expertise in environmental and reliability testing (e.g., thermal cycling, vibration, shock)
Proven ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines and communicate effectively with executive stakeholders

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation is determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a base-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical capabilities. In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long term incentives such as company stock, stock options, and cash awards, as well as discretionary bonus for performance. Northwood Space benefits include equity, health care, unlimited vacation, retirement savings and professional development.

Additional Information:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Average salary estimate

$175000 / YEARLY (est.)

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$150000K

$200000K

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What You Should Know About Head of Mechanical Engineering, Northwoodspace

Join Northwood as the Head of Mechanical Engineering, where innovation meets impact! Based in sunny Los Angeles, CA, Northwood is on a mission to revolutionize connectivity between Earth and space through cutting-edge space communications technologies. In this vital role, you’ll be at the helm of developing precision mechanical systems that support advanced RF and antenna technologies. Your expertise will shape the mechanical engineering strategy while mentoring a talented team of engineers. You’ll be responsible for designing and integrating key components, ensuring seamless collaboration with RF engineers, and leading initiatives that push the boundaries of technology. Your day-to-day will involve rigorous analysis, overseeing high-precision actuator developments, and striving for excellence in every design. If you're ready to make a tangible difference in space technology and guide a dedicated team toward future successes, Northwood is excited to meet you. It's a unique opportunity to blend your leadership and technical skills, while contributing significantly to both engineering innovation and the mission of connecting the world with the wonders of space!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Head of Mechanical Engineering Role at Northwoodspace

What are the main responsibilities of the Head of Mechanical Engineering at Northwood?

As the Head of Mechanical Engineering at Northwood, you will lead a talented team in developing critical mechanical systems that support RF and antenna technologies. Your responsibilities will include setting mechanical design strategies, overseeing actuator and structural component developments, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration to meet engineering goals. You will also provide technical oversight of designs, guide validation processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.