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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Sr. Mechanisms Engineer - Surface Mobility - **Company:** Intuitive Machines - **Location:** Glen Burnie, MD, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $85,000.0 - $205,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, Robotic Automation Software, Simulation Software, Windchill, Creo - **Published:** November 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/7eec6039-a857-4499-815e-0d33f260624c/sr-mechanisms-engineer-surface-mobility ## About the Role * B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field; M.S./Ph.D. preferred. * Minimum of 10+ years of experience * Deep expertise in bearing design, geartrain analysis, seal systems, lubrication, stepper and brushless DC actuators and controllers * Proven ability to manage end-to-end flight hardware procurements, vendors, budgets, and schedules * Proficiency with Creo and Windchill * Proficiency with ASME Y14.5 geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) * Familiarity with performance requirements development for mechanical and electromechanical systems * Experience with the generation of work orders, assembly procedures and test plans for mechanisms functional, vibration, thermal vacuum and life testing * Familiarity with standard practices for assembly and environmental testing of space flight mechanisms as well as the tooling and ground support equipment associated with these tests * Familiarity with spaceflight mechanisms topics including motors, bearings and lubricants, geared systems, release mechanisms and robotic systems, and the integration of electrical components such as wire harnesses into these systems * Familiarity with commonly used space and commercial specifications for materials, processes, fasteners, mechanical components, connectors, wiring, etc. * Familiarity with common space industry additive and conventional metallic and composite manufacturing processes * Familiarity with motion simulation software and finite element analysis tools Preferred * Direct experience in rover, spacecraft, or extreme-environment vehicle development * Experience with robotic manipulators and robotic control systems * History of leading full lifecycle mechanism development (design * build * test * flight) * Familiarity with lunar or planetary mission requirements (dust, vacuum, thermal extremes) * Published work or recognized contributions in aspects of mechanism design * Experience in proposal writing, customer-facing design reviews, and technical leadership Work Environment Work is performed in a prototype development laboratory and manufacturing environment supporting spacecraft, lunar robotics and aerospace mechanisms. ## Description Intuitive Machines is seeking a highly skilled Mechanisms Engineer to join our team. This position will be located on-site at the IM Robotics and Mechanisms Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The Mechanisms Engineer will work in a cross-functional team on the design, development, manufacture and test of a Mars rover Engineering Development Unit (EDU). The engineer will lead manufacturing and outfitting of the EDU including design and build of traction drive and steering actuators; design and build of a navigation / communication / thermal / solar tower; integration of a 7-DOF robotic manipulator and standard robotic tools for Mars science sample collection; integration of power and computing systems, autonomous navigation instruments, communications elements; and coordination of end-to-end mission demonstration for the customer. In addition to the primary role, the engineer will assist in the concept development, design, build and test of a variety of articulation and deployment mechanisms associated with Intuitive Machines' vehicles and landers. Responsibilities * Serve as end-to-end Product Design Lead (PDL) for Mars rover EDU build and outfitting * Serve as technical lead for traction drive and steering drive actuator design, geartrain development, and actuator integration across the mobility system * Develop performance specifications for Stepper and BLDC actuators, lead procurement, and oversee testing/characterization * Perform detailed design of * Own the design and build of the vehicle Superstructure which includes provisions for navigation sensors, solar array, thermal radiator(s), and communications equipment * Lead integration of the 7-DOF robotic manipulator to the vehicle; place science collection containers and robotic tools; develop robotic ConOps for science and vehicle maintenance demonstrations; implement software fixes and upgrades as needed * Own and coordinate assembly and test of the integrated vehicle at IM's Maryland facility * Develop, and execute, assembly and test procedures; design test apparatus and data collection methods * Work closely with the Demonstration Lead and Autonomy Lead to devise meaningful autonomous and teleoperated capability tests * Interface with cross-disciplinary teams (structures, thermal, avionics, software) to integrate mechanisms into the vehicle * Perform mechanism analyses including bearing and gear calculations, force and torque margins, lubricant life analysis, rigid and flexible body dynamic simulations * Generate CAD and drawings of mechanical hardware; perform optimization studies, interference checks, tolerance analysis * Represent mechanisms engineering at customer and program reviews