# Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at Astro Mechanica

- Company: Astro Mechanica
- What the company does: We're reinventing aircraft from the engine forward. Backed by Y Combinator and a16z.
- Company website: https://astromecha.co/
- Type: Startups
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: San Francisco
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $220K to $270K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-21
- Apply by: 2026-12-05
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Astro-Mechanica/96349dee-a130-4a74-b602-8977c5b87f4e?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/astro-mechanica-principal-mechanical-design-engineer/

## About the role

Own the mechanical architecture of major engine subsystems, defining requirements, interfaces, and design approach Lead trade studies that shape engine configuration, and make clear, defensible decisions when the data is incomplete Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- 10+ years of hands-on mechanical design experience, including technical leadership of complex hardware programs from concept through build and test
- A track record of owning the architecture of a major system or product, not just individual components
- Deep expertise in a major CAD package (Siemens NX preferred, we’ll support your transition from CATIA, Creo, or SolidWorks)
- Expert knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining, additive, and sheet metal, along with precision measurement and GD&T
- A strong command of structural analysis, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, with the judgment to know when analysis is good enough and when to go test
- Experience mentoring engineers and raising the technical bar of a team

Tags: Propulsion

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/astro-mechanica-principal-mechanical-design-engineer/