SATCOM Mechanical Engineering & Design Manager

Job Description

Readiness Delivered. Kratos engineers and deploys technology and systems that move national security forward, with the cost, speed, and reliability that make readiness certain. We are a trusted partner-driven by doing the right thing and achieving maximum success for our customers, our partners and ourselves. Kratos has an exciting opportunity for a Mechanical Engineering and Design Manager. This professional manages the resources for mechanical engineering and design. They assign the mechanical engineers and designer to product development and project requirements. This position is responsible for product performance and technical excellence of the mechanical design and all technical product documentation. This position is a combination of hands-on management of design activities and personnel management. A key responsibility is ensuring that all work products meet the requirements for quality, technical, schedule, and cost while being performed in accordance with engineering requirements and standards.

The Mechanical Engineering and Design Manager is also responsible for performing the annual employee reviews. The Mechanical Engineering and Design Manager provides and manages the budget, to be approved, for company mechanical design and drafting tools. Additionally, the Mechanical and Design Engineering Manager supports Business Development and reports to the VP of Engineering.

• Provide technical oversight. Provide technical oversight and guidance to designers and engineers. Review tooling and product design methodologies, drawings, and design review packages (PDR, CDR, MRR) to ensure operational success. Coordinate with other functional groups throughout the design and manufacturing process.
• Monitor performance. Management and escalation of all design issues (technical, schedule, and financial). Communicate status of design efforts, highlight conflicts, and recommend solutions. Lead and/or support technical reviews at the design level. Lead, plan and schedule product design activities working with program management, engineering functional leaders, and management.
• Design Strategy Development. Establish and implement design strategies aligned with company goals, including product roadmaps, technical specifications, and design methodologies. Work with Product Line and Business Development to generate proposal estimates for NRE (design labor, tooling costs & lead times etc) and product costs.
• Standardize and improve design processes. Develop and ensure consistent execution of standard practices, methods, and design software and analytical tools. Implement lessons learned, standard practices, best practices, and continuous improvement plans. Lead initiatives and plans to improve design technology, strategic capability, and capacity. Monitor effectiveness and execution of our work standards.
• Change Management and Sustaining Engineering. Responsible for the change process and approval or rejection of requests. Manages priorities and ensures timely completion. Supports mechanical product lifecycle issues and sustainment activities when escalated. This may include Supplier evaluations and obsolescence planning.
• Team leadership. Manage and lead a team of mechanical engineers and designers, overseeing their work, assigning tasks, providing mentorship, and evaluating performance. Own requisition process, manage hiring and training and allocate resources. Conduct 1:1's and reviews ensuring direct reports have effective development plans and goals.
• Supports the Product Engineering organization through the following behaviors:
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Optimize Work Processes
• Ensures accountability
• Builds effective teams
• Drives engagement
• Demonstrates self-awareness
• Instills trust

Experience and Skills

• 10+ years engineering
• BS or Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software and associated PLM software (e.g., Solidworks) and analysis tools (ANSYS Mech)
• Must have a good understanding of SATCOM principles
• Strong proficiency in drawing generation, with the ability to apply and review GD&T. Thorough knowledge of mechanical design and documentation requirements.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials selection for satellite communication applications
• A broad understanding of engineering, manufacturing, cost and schedule execution, scope management, and risk management is required.
• Demonstrated experience in Design for Manufacturability (DFMA) principles and mistake-proofing is required
• Ability to work with Microsoft Project and Office Products.
• Good communication skills. Good reasoning abilities. Sound judgment.
• Experience with project management methodologies and ability to meet tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance if required

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in mechanical design and development within the aerospace industry, preferably with satellite communication systems.

#LI-Hybrid

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings-from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And, we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement