R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

This R&D Mechanical Engineer V, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory position is with University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Lead the mechanical design and development of spaceflight payload hardware, including structures, mounting approaches, mechanical layouts, and design documentation from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, verification, and test readiness. Establish engineering approaches, assess complex trade-offs, resolve technical challenges, and ensure designs address payload requirements, spacecraft/lander interfaces, and launch and spaceflight environmental constraints. Establish innovative engineering approaches for highly complex, unprecedented technical challenges; evaluate trade-offs and define design practices appropriate to novel scientific instrumentation. Develop mechanical integration and test plans for spaceflight hardware, including environmental verification consistent with NASA General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) or applicable project-specific standards. Lead assembly, alignment, fit checks, interface verification, environmental tests, and functional test configurations. Direct mechanical ground support equipment development, integration procedures, anomaly resolution, test readiness, post-test assessments, and configuration control. Lead design, analysis, documentation, and verification of complex interfaces between University of Arizona-developed payloads and externally developed spacecraft or instrument support systems. Provide technical inputs to Mechanical Interface Control Documents (MICDs) for delivered flight seismometer units. Define interface requirements, integration approaches, and procedures addressing structural, thermal, alignment, manufacturing, and environmental performance; oversee interface maturity and risk mitigation. Serve as senior mechanical engineering authority for University of Arizona-led spaceflight payload projects. Guide technical decisions, trade studies, design reviews, risk assessments, and issue resolution. Coordinate activities across systems engineering, project management, external partners, test facilities, and vendors to meet project objectives. Providing strategic technical direction, influence cross-functional partners, establish engineering methods and quality practices, and mentor other technical contributors as appropriate to the assigned projects. Briefings to executive leadership regarding research findings for projects throughout different stages of development. Lead preparation and technical review of engineering drawings, interface control documentation, verification records, test plans and procedures, trade studies, configuration management products, and review packages. Provide engineering leadership at design reviews, milestone assessments, and configuration-control activities, supporting compliance with project requirements, quality standards, and NASA documentation expectations.