Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Mechanisms)

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer with strong mechanical design and hardware development experience to support complex, mission-critical programs. This individual will take ownership of significant system components and provide technical leadership throughout the complete product lifecycle.

The role involves extensive 3D modeling, mechanism design, prototyping, integration, and testing. The successful candidate will work independently within a multidisciplinary engineering team and spend significant time in a laboratory environment working hands-on with hardware.

Location: Carlsbad, California

Salary: $130,000–$160,000

Security Clearance: Active Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance required; favorable polygraph preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex mechanical components, mechanisms, and assemblies.
• Support the full product lifecycle, including requirements definition, concept generation, trade studies, material selection, preliminary design, final design, and testing.
• Create detailed 3D models using industry-standard CAD tools.
• Conduct design sensitivity, optimization, and feasibility analyses.
• Generate Technical Data Package deliverables, including part drawings, assembly drawings, and supporting design documentation.
• Prototype, assemble, integrate, and test mechanical components and systems.
• Develop test plans and procedures for mechanical subsystems.
• Perform testing and evaluation of component parts, assemblies, and integrated systems.
• Troubleshoot design and hardware issues during assembly, integration, and testing.
• Collaborate with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and other engineering disciplines.
• Provide technical leadership and adapt to evolving program requirements and priorities.
• Deliver formal and informal technical briefings to internal teams, customers, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• At least six years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong experience designing mechanical components, mechanisms, or hardware assemblies.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling and CAD tools.
• Experience developing part and assembly drawings and other Technical Data Package documentation.
• Hands-on experience with hardware prototyping, assembly, integration, and testing.
• Ability to develop and execute mechanical subsystem test plans and procedures.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to operate independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Security Clearance Requirements

• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.
• A clearance active within the past two years may be considered.
• A favorable polygraph is preferred.
• Candidates should be currently using or recently have used their clearance.