# Senior/Lead Mechanical Engineer  at AscendArc

AscendArc is hiring a Senior/Lead Mechanical Engineer  in Portland, United States. It pays $145k-$225k a year and Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on AscendArc](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/d3d88c92-4455-462c-bee0-7d84bb3d1825?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 35 out of 100. Portland, United States.

## Details

- Company: [AscendArc](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/ascendarc)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 35 out of 100)
- Location: Portland, United States
- Salary: $145k-$225k
- Posted: July 13, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/d3d88c92-4455-462c-bee0-7d84bb3d1825?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=senior-lead-mechanical-engineer-at-ascendarc-4ce318

## Description

Come join us in shaping the future! Get in on the ground floor as an early member of our Mechanical team as a Senior Mechanical Engineer
developing a revolutionary satellite communications system. This role offers the chance to combine hands-on engineering with in-depth structural analysis to ensure our spacecraft thrive in the extreme space environment. Connect the vision to the hardware, build it, test it and fly it.

AscendArc is a seed stage startup founded to revolutionize the satellite communications industry. We are looking for doers who want to work in a ground-breaking and fast-paced environment. Our success will depend on your energy, skill, and creativity.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the design, development, and validation of spacecraft mechanical systems, including structures, mechanisms, and thermal hardware

Perform structural analysis using FEA to evaluate stiffness, strength, vibration modes, and margins of safety.

Collaborate with immediate and cross-functional teams to define mechanical interfaces and support system integration
Develop CAD models, detailed drawings, and documentation to support manufacturing, assembly, and testing
Support environmental and functional testing efforts (e.g., vibration, thermal, deployment), including test setup and data collection
Participate in design reviews and help identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development cycle
Assist in hands-on prototyping, hardware builds, and integration activities

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
5+ years of experience designing and testing complex mechanical systems in the aerospace industry
Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) and engineering analysis tools (FEA, thermal, tolerance analysis)
Demonstrated experience with full product lifecycle: from early prototyping through flight hardware delivery
Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, and testing
Strong collaboration and communication skills across disciplines and with external partners

Who We’re Looking For

We’re searching for exceptional talent. We value high-caliber individuals with the drive and creativity to help launch Oregon’s first commercial communications satellite.
We’re looking for people who:
Thrive in a cradle-to-grave design environment and take ownership from concept through launch.
Bring energy, curiosity, and a responsible engineering mindset.
Want to work alongside other exceptional people in an environment where great ideas rise to the top.
Base Salary
The base salary range for this position is
$145,000-225,000/year.
When determining an individual’s compensation, we consider several factors including skillset, experience, job scope, and current market data, so pay for this role may vary from the amounts listed.

Legal Eligibility to Work

Due to U.S. export control regulations, this position is only open to “U.S. persons.” That means you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or have refugee/asylee status. Unfortunately, we cannot consider applicants on temporary work visas (such as H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.) for this role.
Equal Employment Opportunity

AscendArc is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor or legally protected status.

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/senior-lead-mechanical-engineer-at-ascendarc-4ce318

## Cite this page

Level. https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/senior-lead-mechanical-engineer-at-ascendarc-4ce318.

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