Senior Mechanical Engineer

Acquired Data Solutions Inc. is seeking a hands-on Senior Mechanical Engineer to design and support mission-critical secure electronic systems for defense aerospace and secure communications applications. This role requires deep technical involvement in enclosures thermal design shielding structural integrity and manufacturability while working closely with Electrical PCB and Systems Engineering teams. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-discipline engineering environment understands the mechanical implications of EMI/EMSEC-driven designs and is comfortable owning designs from concept through production and sustainment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Mechanical System Design & Architecture

• Serve as mechanical design authority for electronic systems operating in secure mission-critical environments.
• Own mechanical architecture from requirements through production including:
  • Enclosures frames COTS parts and chassis
  • Shielding gasketing and EMI/EMC mitigation features
  • Thermal management (conduction convection forced-air passive solutions)
  • Structural integrity: vibration shock pressure harsh environment dust moisture and salt atmosphere
• Translate electrical and system requirements into robust producible and manufacturable mechanical designs for low high-run production

Secure & EMI-Aware Design

• Design mechanical solutions for sheet metal and CNC manufacturing processes which support TEMPEST or TEMPEST-like mitigation strategies including:
  • Shielded enclosures and covers
  • EMI gasketing seams bonding and grounding paths
  • Cable ingress/egress control connector placement and isolation zones
• Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering to ensure enclosure and PCB/layout strategies are aligned for emissions control and signal integrity.
• Support system-level RED/BLACK separation concepts through mechanical partitioning and layout.

Hands-On Engineering Execution

• Create detailed 3D CAD models assemblies and production drawings using SolidWorks and ASYME 14.5 drawing standards
• Define tolerances using GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Perform Finite Element Analysis in SolidWorks
• Define finishes materials and fastener strategies suitable for secure and long-lifecycle products
• Participate in prototype builds fit checks and bring-up activities
• Support qualification compliance and environmental testing (EMI/EMC thermal vibration shock as applicable.)
• Design PCB footprint and placement of critical components e.g. connectors ICs that require heat dissipation mounting considerations etc.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
  • Electrical and PCB Design Engineers on component placement stack-ups grounding and shielding effectiveness
  • Manufacturing on DFM/DFA tooling and assembly processes
  • Supply chain on part selection alternates and obsolescence mitigation
• Provide mechanical input during system design reviews risk assessments and design trades
• Interface with customers program managers and test labs with mechanical design decisions impact performance or compliance

Production & Lifecycle Support

• Support transition of designs into production including documentation assembly instructions and test fixtures as needed.
• Provide sustaining engineering support for field issues updates and product revisions
• Design with long-term availability serviceability and configuration control in mind

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience building electronics enclosures/assemblies for defense industries according to MIL standards
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• 7-10 years of professional mechanical engineering experience including ownership of electronic enclosures or assemblies
• Office Location: Gaithersburg MD
• Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Enclosure and chassis design for electronics
  • Thermal management of electronic systems
  • EMI-aware mechanical design
• Proven ability to work effectively in regulated security-sensitive engineering environments
• Experience supporting products from concept through production and sustainment
• Experience in the use of PLM software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with design or aerospace product design and application of RTCA/DO-160G or related MIL standards
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC compliance testing and mitigation strategies from a mechanical perspective
• Experience with ruggedized designs subject to shock vibration and environmental extremes
• Prior experience serving as a technical lead or senior mechanical authority on multi-disciplinary programs
• Advanced knowledge of COTS parts for MIL standard builds
• Cable harness design experience
• Advanced knowledge of SolidWorks PLM
• Experience creating assembly instructions

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Detail-oriented disciplined engineer with a strong ownership mindset
• Comfortable working across electrical mechanical and manufacturing boundaries
• Practical problem solver who balances rigor schedule and cost
• Clear communicator who can explain and defend mechanical design decisions

Required Experience:

Senior IC