Mechanical Engineer 2

Fortastra | Strength Among the Stars

Fortastra operates at the intersection of aerospace, national defense, and advanced technology. We design and deploy cutting-edge space and defense systems with the speed and focus of a startup, and the discipline required to meet the most demanding mission requirements. Our work directly supports the security and resilience of the United States and its allies, and we approach that mission with urgency, innovation, and a deep sense of responsibility.

We recently closed a $30M Series A to build the future of on-orbit security and we’re just getting started!

Our Engineering Team

You’ll join Fortastra’s Engineering Division. The mechanical engineering team is responsible for the physical realization of our spacecraft: structures, mechanisms, packaging, and integration that enable reliable, repeatable builds and rapid iteration across vehicles.

The Role

Fortastra is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II to support the design, integration, and build of our autonomous spacecraft. This is a hands-on, generalist mechanical role for an early-career engineer who wants ownership across the full product lifecycle: from CAD and mechanical design to integration support on the floor.

You will contribute to spacecraft configuration, component packaging, mounts and brackets, and detailed part and assembly design. You will work closely with propulsion, avionics, GNC, thermal, and manufacturing teams to ensure the vehicle is buildable, testable, and maintainable. The ideal candidate has solid fundamentals in mechanical design and CAD, some experience taking hardware from concept to assembly, and is eager to grow into broader ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to spacecraft mechanical configuration, component layout, and system interfaces.
• Create and maintain CAD models for parts and assemblies, including mounting hardware, brackets, panels, and simple structural elements.
• Support the evolution of the overall spacecraft CAD model by adding and updating subsystem hardware under guidance from senior engineers.
• Help identify and resolve basic mechanical interferences with harnessing, cabling, avionics boxes, sensors, and other subsystem hardware.
• Generate and release detailed drawings, bills of materials, and mechanical documentation with disciplined revision control.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and thermal engineers to support integrated mechanical solutions.
• Work with manufacturing and integration teams to ensure designs can be fabricated, assembled, and accessed for test and maintenance.
• Support bring-up and integration activities on the floor, including fit checks, build support, and hardware rework when needed.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2 to 5 years of experience in mechanical design for spacecraft, robotics, automotive, defense, or other high-reliability systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent), including part and assembly modeling.
• Understanding of basic structures, interfaces, packaging, and mechanical integration.
• Experience creating engineering drawings, applying tolerances, and working with revision-controlled documentation.
• Exposure to configuration management and large-assembly practices is a plus.
• Familiarity with fabrication methods such as machining, sheet metal, and simple welded or bolted assemblies.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and take feedback from senior engineers and technicians to improve designs.

Requirements

• 5 days on-site in Torrance, CA
• U.S. Citizenship required and the ability to obtain or hold an active Top Secret clearance

Why Fortastra

We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy.

FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES

Values Driven by First Principles

We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems.

Talent Density Over Headcount

A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission. 

High Autonomy, High Ownership

We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability. 

Mission Context Over Bureaucracy

The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly. 

Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor

We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness.

Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy

You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team. 

Benefits

We take care of our employees so they can focus on what matters most: family, well-being, and life outside of work.

Unlimited Paid Time Off so that you have the time you need to rest and recharge.

Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, because peace of mind starts with feeling cared for.

Equity: Share in Fortastra's success with equity in the company you're helping build.

401(k): A 401(k) plan to help you invest in your future and plan for what's ahead.

Social Events: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities that make this a place people are glad to be part of.

The pay range for this role is $165,000.00 - $191,000.00. Where an offer falls within that range depends on factors like your qualifications, experience, location, and interview performance, which we weigh against the market rate for the position.

Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly.