Who you are

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering
• Experience leading engineering teams across multiple mechanical domains (e.g., design, structural, thermal); experience managing managers is an asset
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, structural analysis, and thermal engineering principles
• Experience delivering hardware from concept through qualification and flight readiness
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Experience in spacecraft or aerospace hardware development
• Experience scaling engineering teams in a high-growth environment
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM, and simulation toolchains
• Experience defining engineering processes and organizational structures

What the job involves

• We are seeking a Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical engineering function at Kepler, supporting the development and delivery of next-generation space hardware
• Mechanical engineering supports multiple concurrent efforts, including integrated product teams (IPTs) and program teams. This role encompasses staffing, alignment, growth, and performance of the mechanical engineering organization
• You will operate through managers, team leads, and senior individual contributors to ensure the organization is structured and enabled to deliver effectively. This role focuses on organizational leadership, development of engineering leaders, and alignment with program needs and execution
• Leadership & Organization:
• Lead and develop the mechanical engineering organization across design and analysis disciplines
• Manage through managers and team leads to drive performance and execution
• Build and maintain a strong engineering culture focused on ownership, quality, and continuous improvement
• Lead hiring strategy and organizational growth planning
• Coach and develop managers, team leads, and individual contributors
• Technical Excellence & Execution:
• Define and maintain standards for mechanical design, structural, and thermal analysis
• Establish and enforce best practices across design, simulation, and hardware verification
• Guide and review critical technical decisions, risks, and trade-offs
• Propose and drive R&D aligned with Kepler's roadmap and product vision
• Oversee tools and infrastructure; drive adoption of new technologies and processes
• Improve engineering efficiency, reliability, and traceability
• Cross-functional Alignment:
• Enable collaboration across mechanical, electrical, RF, systems, production, and operations teams
• Partner with Technical Project Managers, Chief Engineers, and program leadership to align priorities

Benefits

• Unlimited Vacation
• Comprehensive Health Coverage
• Stock Options
• Flexible & Hybrid Work Options
• Professional Development