Job Details

Mechanical Engineer IV

Position Number: 7283263
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Engineering - Mechanical

Mechanical Engineer IV

Requisition Number: 73020
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 14-Jul-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Space Flight Instrumentation (LASP)

LASP is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of mechanical systems for spaceflight instruments and mission proposals. The role focuses on solving complex engineering challenges, developing innovative mechanical designs, and supporting the full lifecycle of flight hardware from concept through integration and testing. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to deliver reliable, high-performance space instrumentation for NASA and other space missions.

As part of the University of Colorado Boulder, LASP offers a unique environment that combines cutting-edge space science, engineering, mission operations, and student education. With a legacy of sending instruments to every planet in the solar system and Pluto, LASP provides opportunities to contribute directly to pioneering space exploration missions while mentoring and working alongside the next generation of aerospace professionals.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is one of the largest research institutes of CU Boulder, the #1 public university recipient of NASA research grants, and one of America's leading aerospace universities. With a focus on solar, stellar, space plasma, atmospheric, and planetary sciences, LASP employs both experimental and theoretical approaches to answer key science questions. Since its inception in 1948, LASP has developed, operated, and analyzed the data from scientific instrumentation for solar science, earth atmospheric, planetary, deep-space, and Earth-orbiting spacecraft missions investigating the Sun, all eight planets, Pluto and beyond. The progressive development of research capabilities and use of innovative technologies in pursuit of emerging research initiatives ensures a continued leadership role for LASP in today's growing "new space" era. Since 2013, LASP has secured over $1.75B in grants and contracts.

Thanks to its distinctive combination of scientific and engineering expertise and its ability both to manage long-term collaborations with agencies such as NASA and to respond to faster-moving opportunities with private sponsors, LASP has grown rapidly in the last decade, with expenditures that exceed well over $150M annually, secured through grants, contracts, and other funding vehicles. Some 400 of LASP's 600-person staff are technical staff and research scientists. The LASP community includes tenure/tenure-track faculty, approximately 110 student employees, 69 graduate students, and 10 postdocs.

An important element of LASP's mission is to train the next generation of space scientists and engineers: through wide-ranging research and flight projects, LASP participates actively in the development of the future leaders of space research and is a leader in educating students with highly valued technical and scientific skills. Undergraduate and graduate student participation is integral to LASP's R&D and operational success. In this regard, LASP has been both a contributor to and beneficiary of the remarkable growth of the state of Colorado's space sector.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Generating opto-mechanical designs
Work on various types of space-based instrumentation
Modeling hardware in SolidWorks and using PDM Pro.
Using ANSYS Workbench to verify design solutions.
Creating drawings using Solidworks and applying GD&T to the drawing.
Interface with a multi-disciplinary team.
Document interfaces and requirements.
Generate mechanical solutions for various proposal efforts.
Perform other mechanical engineering tasks including mass properties, harness routing, production planning, etc.
Other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

Generating opto-mechanical designs
Work on various types of space based instrumentation
SolidWorks and using PDM Pro.
ANSYS Workbench or NASTRAN to verify design solutions.
Creating drawings using Solidworks and applying GD&T to the drawing.
Interface with a multi-disciplinary team.
Document interfaces and requirements.

What We Can Offer

$132,458.00 - $172,291.00 annual

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

BS degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
At least 10 years of experience.
Due to requirements governing access to export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) are eligible for hire.

What You Will Need

Ability to function well in a team based environment.
Attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills.
Resourcefulness and creativity.
Knowledgeable of spaceflight instruments, mechanisms and spacecraft.
Ability to take personal responsibility for projects and work independently.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover Letter.

(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.

Please apply by 7/14/2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Mechanical-Engineer-IV/73020