Senior Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) Engineer- Western Texas - 1721

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Senior Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) Engineer to join a leading space systems organization located in Western Texas through a 100% onsite work environment. The Senior MGSE Engineer will design, analyze, and validate Mechanical Ground Support Equipment for spacecraft systems while supporting tooling, integration flow, and hands‑on AIT operations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the mechanical design, modeling, and documentation of MGSE, including jacks, rigs, lifts, test stands, and benches supporting satellite and rocket hardware.
• Develop preliminary and detailed designs, including layouts, sketches, materials selection, tooling requirements, processes, and interface definitions with other mechanical subsystems.
• Produce and maintain manufacturing drawings, ICDs, and documentation supporting environmental test tooling (vibration, shock, TVAC, static load, integration).
• Support fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) activities on the engineering floor, working hands‑on with technicians and integration teams.
• Ensure MGSE designs meet all technical requirements and performance criteria through structural assessments and engineering trade studies.
• Provide structural design input, including loads, materials, classical stress analysis, and FEM methods.
• Contribute to the overall integration flow and process improvement of mechanical tools and non‑flight hardware systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• (Sell for senior candidates) Provide leadership and transition into an upcoming manager‑track role as the group expands.

Qualifications:

• Education Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3–10+ years of mechanical engineering experience supporting spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellite systems, or related space‑based hardware.
• Strong background in structural design, materials, loads, classical stress analysis, and hands‑on hardware support.
• Experience designing MGSE or similar heavy mechanical tooling (jigs, fixtures, stands, welded steel structures, lifts, etc.).
• Direct experience supporting AIT operations: assembly, integration, testing.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Inventor preferred; SolidWorks/CATIA acceptable).
• Understanding of PDM/PLM environments (Vault, SolidWorks PDM, Teamcenter, Windchill, 3DEXPERIENCE, Aras, etc.) and drawing release workflows.
• Knowledge of GD&T (geometric dimensioning & tolerancing).
• Experience with FEM analysis tools (FEA, stress simulation) is a plus.

Compensation:

Salary Range: $140,000 target + stock offerings (flexible higher for exceptional candidates)

Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO (unlimited after 90 days), Sick Leave as required by law, and Holidays

Additional Benefits: $10,000 relocation bonus, 5K for temporary housing, monthly stipend $750-$1000/ month, unlimited PTO, RSUs

Clearance Level: Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Location: 100% onsite in Western TX