Your space-enabled career begins here

The Mission

Space is the bleeding edge for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires infrastructure that makes orbit as accessible and reliable as air travel. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first reusable satellite platform with return capability transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Ground Support Systems & Build Engineer to own the design and execution of Lux Aeterna’s Ground Support Equipment (GSE), tooling, mechanical test fixtures, and vehicle assembly process. As a small team, we don’t have distinct design and manufacturing engineering groups. This role is a mix between design, build, and hands-on support. You will be responsible for delivering reliable, safe, and repeatable GSE/tooling that enable high cadence, high reliability space operations for reusable spacecraft. You'll be working at the forefront of aerospace technology, solving complex challenges that have profound implications for the future of commercial spaceflight. This is a unique opportunity to:

• Be responsible for critical ground support systems from concept through deployment and sustained operations

• Own overall build approach & refurbishment process for our reusable re-entry vehicles

• Create high performance fixtures, tools, handling equipment, and test support hardware designed for rapid turnarounds and repeated use

• Support the first of its kind refurbishment and reflight of satellite hardware by enabling efficient integration, inspection, and checkout workflows

• Work directly with technical leadership to shape how we build, test, and turn hardware quickly and safely

Why Lux Aeterna?

• Pioneering Technology: We're developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way highway

• Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure

• Speed & Autonomy: We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards

• World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space

The Role
You'll lead the design and execution of our ground support systems and tooling, including:

• Designing and detailing GSE, fixtures, assembly tooling, and handling equipment to support build, integration, refurbishment, and test of vehicles

• Ownership of vehicle assembly process in conjunction with subassembly and assembly ATP/QTP processes through launch vehicle integration

• Managing mechanical interfaces between vehicle hardware, support equipment, and facilities constraints; supporting layout and workflow development

• Supporting integration and test with clear work instructions, checklists, and tooling deployment (including iteration based on technician feedback)

• Designing test support equipment and setups for qualification and acceptance activities (QTP/ATP), including safe load paths and restraint strategies

• Driving practical trade studies to balance safety, ergonomics, cost, schedule, and manufacturability across manufacturing layout and tooling design

• Collaborating with external partners including vendors, suppliers, and (as needed) customers and government stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering (or related)

• 5+ years of mechanical design experience in aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, or adjacent high-reliability hardware environments

• Hands-on experience supporting hardware assembly, integration, test, or manufacturing operations (shop-floor comfort is important)

• Working knowledge of mechanical first principles (loads, stiffness, mechanisms) and basic structural analysis methods

• Experience using 3D CAD software to produce fabrication-ready designs (Siemens NX preferable, but not required)

• Working understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and ability to apply it appropriately for tooling and fixtures

• Familiarity with common materials and manufacturing methods (machining, sheet metal, welded assemblies, additive, composites exposure a plus)

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced engineering environment with shifting priorities

Desired Experience

• Experience designing ground support equipment, test fixtures, or production tooling for aerospace or other high-performance hardware

• Basic FEA capability for sanity checks (static stiffness/strength) and comfort interpreting results

• Experience designing for ergonomics, safety, and repeated operations (e.g., lifts, carts, restraint fixtures, handling frames)

• Experience with environmental test support setups and general verification flow exposure (GEVS familiarity is a plus)

• Early-stage startup experience

We are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.