Lead Mechanical Engineer - Precision Mechanisms & Advanced Hardware Development

Job title: Lead, Mechanical Engineer

Job Details

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

We're seeking a driven Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, development, and qualification of complex mechanical systems including precision mechanisms and electro-mechanical assemblies, within a dynamic program team.

The ideal candidate will take ownership of major system components while adapting flexibly as program needs evolve. You'll provide technical leadership across the full development lifecycle: from requirements definition and concept generation through material selection, trade studies, design optimization, detailed design, documentation, and integration testing.

You should bring strong experience in 3D modeling and critical hardware development, with the ability to work independently within cross-functional teams. This role requires a hands-on approach; you'll be actively engaged in lab work and direct hardware interaction.

Essential Functions:

Ability and desire to take full ownership of tasking while working with limited supervision in a variety of high consequence program activities

Provide regular communication and briefings, both formally and informally, to internal and external stakeholders, including customer representatives

Generation of Technical Data Package components (Part and Assembly drawings, etc.)

Prototype, Integrate, and Test component parts and assemblies

Develop test plans and procedures for mechanical subsystems

Perform test and evaluation of component parts and systems

Participate in peer reviews, PDRs, CDRs, and other required design reviews

Participate in product change review meetings and discussions and implement changes

Participate in interdisciplinary design teams and reviews

Highly organized and detail oriented

Able to work independently with limited supervision

Adhere to company processes for product development, configuration management, purchasing, etc.

Direct Designers/ Technicians/Operators as part of a design team

Support field testing/demonstration efforts as an ME field representative

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance (or held within the last 2 years)

Must hold or be able to obtain a favorable polygraph

Preferred Additional Skills:

Comfortable collecting technical concepts and presenting them to program leadership

Experience in design or development of precision mechanisms, mechatronic systems, and/or packaging of modules and electronics with considerations of thermal and structural loading and for optimizations of size, weight, and power.

Proficiency in CAD tools such as Creo and understanding of ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standards.

Experience in additive manufacturing, part optimization, and design for manufacture and assembly a plus.

Experience with any of the following: actuators, custom gear trains, electro-optical systems, materials testing, and manufacturing processes

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia is $102,000 - $189,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. Our company also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.