Mechanical Engineer (Atmospheric)

Mechanical Engineer 

Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) 

Launch has changed the economics of space. Now it is time to return. 

Outpost is building the missing infrastructure between orbit and Earth: reusable vehicles that can bring payloads back from space and deliver them to a precise location within hours. We call it exologistics, space-to-Earth logistics at planetary scale. This is not a paper concept or a distant roadmap. Our system is in active development, with core technologies advancing toward flight readiness. 

The need is already here and the market has responded. We have validated demand through multiple defense and civil agreements, and a growing pipeline across government and commercial customers.  

Outpost is building the logistics layer that makes space economically useful in a new way: the ability to move material from orbit to Earth quickly, reliably, and affordably. Over time, that supports point-to-point logistics, 10 tons of cargo, anywhere on Earth in an hour. It also creates the foundation for a reusable reentry network and enables new categories of space activity, including in-space manufacturing, supporting AI data centers, advanced manufacturing and novel materials. 

We have a strong foundation, clear demand, and a technical path in front of us. Now the company is scaling rapidly. We are expanding the team, growing our operational footprint, and building the systems needed to execute at the next level. This is a chance to join a company with real traction, working on a problem that matters, at the point where execution and scale begin to define the outcome.

The Role 

We’re looking for a Mechanical Engineer who will own the design, analysis, and development of Outpost’s atmospheric recovery systems. This role sits at the intersection of structures, thermals, mechanisms, and aerodynamics - translating system requirements into flight-ready hardware. 

You will lead the mechanical design of components and assemblies that survive hypersonic reentry, transition into controlled flight, and deliver payloads with unprecedented accuracy. This includes mechanisms, interfaces, deployables, rigid and soft-goods integration, and structural elements across the CarryAll vehicle families. 

This is a hands-on engineering role in a fast-moving environment. You will be working directly with GNC, TPS, test, avionics, and manufacturing teams to mature hardware through analysis, prototyping, testing, and flight. 

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. 

Qualifications

• 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. 

Additional Skills or Expertise 

• 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. 

Compensation & Benefits

• 95,000 – 150,000, Salary may vary with experience
• 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 

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 ,or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.