Mechanical Designer
Posted 15 Sep 2026
Advertised as “Mechanical Designer - Airborne”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 5+ yrs
- Management level
- Individual contributor
- Employment
- On-Site
- Contract
- Full-time
No salary listed for this role.
Field of studyEngineering, Mathematics, Science, Technology (or related)
Study levelBachelor's or higher
About Matter Intelligence
Welcome to Matter, where we are building the future of vision AI: pairing a world-first sensor that sees molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape with a Large World Model that will be the most powerful intelligence engine for the physical world. This system doesn't just see what something looks like; it understands everything from a single pixel. We call this Superintelligent Vision.
Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, designed advanced sensors for U.S. Defense, and frontier artificial intelligence systems. We are now building the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems.
About the Role
Matter is hiring a Mechanical Designer focused on airborne payload hardware. This role will turn engineering concepts into detailed, manufacturable designs and support hardware from early packaging through fabrication, assembly, integration, and flight testing.
Key Responsibilities
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Create and maintain detailed 3D CAD mechanical designs, assemblies, drawings, and bills of material for airborne optomechanical and optoelectrical payload hardware, including lens housings, fixtures, mounts, and alignment mechanisms.
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Translate system, optical, electrical, thermal, and structural constraints into practical packaging solutions. Perform tolerance and basic thermal and structural analyses, select materials, and ensure mechanical designs meet performance and reliability requirements.
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Work with optical engineers to translate system-level optical requirements into mechanical designs, then collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost.
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Support prototype builds, fit checks, integration, metrology, test-fixture development, and hardware troubleshooting.
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Maintain configuration discipline and incorporate lessons from fabrication, test, and flight operations into design updates.
Qualifications
Required
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Typically requires a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and at least five years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least three years of experience.
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Strong proficiency with NX or an equivalent CAD tool and a deep understanding of precision mechanical design, ASME Y14.5-2018 GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, materials, and manufacturing processes.
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Experience designing optical-system components such as lenses, lasers, sensors, and imaging assemblies; ability to collaborate with optical, electrical, structural, thermal, and systems engineers; and ability to communicate technical results to internal and external technical and nontechnical audiences.