Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Job title: Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Phoenix, AZ (hybrid)

Pay rate: $85-$100/hour

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or someone who has protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.

Candidates working under F-1, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, O-1, E-3, H-4 EAD, or other temporary visa statuses are NOT eligible for this position. Sponsorship is not available.

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, analysis, and development of advanced aerospace propulsion systems. This role will be responsible for the design and structural analysis of gas turbine engine components , collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in aerospace mechanical design, structural analysis, and thermal analysis, with a strong background in turbine engine hardware development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of static gas turbine engine components for aerospace applications.
• Perform engineering analyses including:
• Structural strength analysis
• Fatigue and durability assessments
• Heat transfer analysis
• Stress analysis
• Containment analysis
• Develop and validate mechanical designs using industry-standard engineering tools.
• Create and review detailed 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and design documentation.
• Support component testing, test planning, and analysis of test results.
• Participate in technical design reviews and provide recommendations to improve product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with project engineers, systems engineers, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure successful program execution.
• Support engineering process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of mechanical design and analysis experience in aerospace or related high-performance engineering environments.
• Direct experience supporting gas turbine engine design and development .

Strong understanding of:

• Structural mechanics
• Static structures analysis
• Fatigue analysis
• Thermal and heat transfer analysis
• Materials behavior in high-temperature environments
• Experience using:
• Siemens NX (UG NX)
• ANSYS Workbench
• Proven ability to perform engineering calculations and translate analytical results into practical design solutions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience supporting commercial or military turbine engine programs.
• Knowledge of engine certification, qualification, and verification activities.
• Experience with engine component testing and failure investigations.
• Previous technical leadership or lead engineer experience.

DESIRED BACKGROUND

Candidates with experience designing or analyzing any of the following are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Compressor components
• Turbine structures
• Engine casings
• Frames
• Diffusers
• Combustor hardware
• Static structural engine components
• High-temperature aerospace assemblies

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an engineer who can combine robust analytical capabilities with practical design expertise to solve complex aerospace propulsion challenges. The successful candidate will be comfortable working across design, analysis, testing, and cross-functional engineering disciplines while serving as a key technical contributor on advanced aerospace programs.