StarSpec Technologies is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to take ownership of challenging mechanical systems for scientific balloon payloads, precision pointing platforms, and satellite missions. Working closely with our mechanical and technical leads, you will turn demanding requirements and incomplete information into sound engineering decisions and hardware that can be manufactured, integrated, and tested.

We are looking for someone who combines strong analysis and design skills with practical judgment and follow-through. You should be comfortable questioning assumptions, resolving difficult interfaces, working directly with suppliers and clients, and helping teammates move past technical obstacles. Mechanical engineering will be your focus, with opportunities to contribute across systems engineering, prototyping, testing, and project delivery as our small team’s needs evolve.

Key Responsibilities

- Take ownership of assigned mechanical projects and subsystems from requirements and concept trade studies through design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test. Work independently on defined scopes, with technical guidance and design reviews from experienced colleagues.
- Design precision mechanisms, mounts, flexures, and lightweight structures. Evaluate load paths, stiffness, mass and inertia, fatigue, alignment, tolerances, and environmental effects.
- Perform structural analyses using first principles and finite element methods, checking boundary conditions, convergence, and results against test evidence. Work with experienced colleagues on complex nonlinear, contact/preload, modal, and dynamic analyses.
- Create and release CAD assemblies, bills of materials, manufacturing drawings, GD&T;, and tolerance analyses. Resolve fabrication and inspection questions with machine shops and suppliers.
- Work with thermal, optical, electrical, and software colleagues to manage interfaces and turn system requirements into practical design and verification decisions.
- Support hands-on builds, fixtures, troubleshooting, and qualification or acceptance testing. Carry lessons from assembly and test back into the design and documentation.
- Manage scope, milestone deliverables, schedules, and risks for assigned work. Maintain clear interface and design records, and communicate technical decisions directly to clients, partners, and colleagues.




- Prioritize your work across concurrent projects at different stages, balancing concept development, release for manufacturing, and support for assembly, integration, and test.
- Contribute to design reviews and share knowledge with teammates, with opportunities to develop mentoring skills and grow into broader technical, project, and team leadership.

QualificationsMust-Haves

- A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Experience taking mechanical hardware from design through fabrication, assembly, and testing, typically gained through 2+ years of relevant work. We value demonstrated ownership and sound engineering judgment over a fixed number of years.
- Strong 3D CAD, manufacturing drawing, GD&T;, and tolerance-analysis skills, backed by experience taking designs through fabrication and assembly. Design for low-volume manufacturing using milling, turning, waterjet cutting, and sheet-metal bending on a brake press.
- Practical finite element analysis experience and the ability to explain modelling assumptions, diagnose questionable results, and choose an appropriate level of analysis.
- Independent problem-solving, explicit technical writing and customer communication, and reliable follow-through across concurrent projects; comfort collaborating in a small multidisciplinary team.
- Availability for on-site design reviews, assembly and testing in Ayr, and occasional travel for integration, testing, or flight campaigns.

Nice-to-Haves

- Onshape or SolidWorks; Altair tools such as SimSolid, Inspire, or HyperMesh, or comparable CAD/FEA experience.
- Precision optomechanics, composites and bonded joints, vacuum or harsh-environment hardware, and vibration or environmental qualification.
- Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical reviews, coordinating suppliers, or managing subsystem schedules and risks.
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) registration in Ontario,



or eligibility to pursue it.
- A master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Machine-shop manufacturing experience, whether hands-on or in manufacturing engineering.
- A record of identifying inefficiencies and improving or automating engineering workflows.
- Materials-selection experience covering specialty alloys, engineering plastics, coatings, and heat treatments.
- Familiarity with state-of-the-art agentic AI systems to integrate and streamline engineering tools for automated analysis pipelines.

About StarSpec & Why Join Us? StarSpec Technologies develops precision pointing systems, scientific payloads, and satellite platforms that help bring advanced space technologies into practical use. Our work spans balloon-borne astronomy and orbital technology development.

You will have direct access to the hardware, the people using it, and the decisions that shape it. We value autonomy, practical engineering, and clear review of work that matters to mission success. Flexible hours and remote design work are balanced with in office collaboration. As your contribution grows, there is room to develop into technical and project leadership while remaining hands-on.

We offer health, dental, and vision coverage and RRSP matching, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

How to Apply

Send your résumé and a brief cover letter to [email protected] with the subject “Mechanical Engineer – [Your Name]”. Please briefly describe a difficult mechanism or structural problem you owned, how you established that your solution was sound, and how you carried it through manufacturing or test. Include your availability for on-site work in Ayr.

Please use non-confidential examples. We welcome transferable experience from other industries. Learn more at www.starspectech.com.

Artificial intelligence is used to assist with screening and assessment of applications.

Pay: $85,000.00-$93,000.00 per year

Application question(s)

- How many years of professional experience do you have taking mechanical hardware from design through fabrication, assembly, and testing?
- Do you hold a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related engineering discipline?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ayr, ON

📌 Mechanical Engineer (Ayr)
🏢 StarSpec Technologies
📍 Ayr