Mechanical Engineer – Ground Systems

Mechanical Engineer – Ground Systems

Requirements

• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent) for designing complex mechanical systems.
• Experience designing mechanical systems or equipment for high-reliability applications, with a focus on structural integrity and environmental resilience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, materials science, and thermal management.
• Ability to execute in a fast-paced, high-iteration environment, delivering designs that meet tight timelines and rigorous standards.
• Familiarity with the full design lifecycle, from concept and prototyping to testing, manufacturing, and deployment.
• Demonstrated extreme ownership and ability to drive projects to completion with minimal oversight.
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and computational tools for structural and thermal simulations.
• Ability to work on-site in Huntington Beach, CA.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test packaging equipment for missile systems, ensuring durability, reliability, and compliance with defense standards.
• Create detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, and specifications using CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, weight reduction, and environmental resilience, including shock, vibration, and thermal considerations.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to ensure seamless integration of packaging equipment with missile systems.
• Perform structural, thermal, and dynamic analyses to validate designs under operational and environmental stresses.
• Develop prototypes, conduct testing, and iterate designs to meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Implement design for manufacturing (DFM) principles to streamline production and reduce costs while maintaining quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical design issues, ensuring equipment meets mission-critical durability and functionality standards.
• Identify opportunities for innovation in packaging solutions, proposing designs that enhance system efficiency, modularity, and scalability.
• Contribute to agile development processes, effectively communicating technical challenges, risks, and solutions to cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience designing packaging or support equipment for aerospace, defense, or missile systems.
• Expertise in designing for extreme environments, including shock, vibration, and temperature extremes.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, testing, and validation of mechanical systems using tools like CNC machines, 3D printers, or environmental test chambers.
• Familiarity with defense industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810) for environmental and operational testing.
• Experience with materials selection for lightweight, high-strength applications, including composites and advanced alloys.
• Strong background in design for manufacturing (DFM) and collaboration with production teams to scale designs.
• Knowledge of integration with autonomous systems or ground support equipment for defense applications.