Mechanical Engineer III

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer III
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer III to lead the design, development, testing, and production transition of advanced electromechanical systems for defense and aerospace applications. In this role, you drive structural and mechanical design efforts from initial concept through prototype testing, validation, and manufacturing release. You work in a fast-paced, hands-on R&D environment, contribute innovative ideas across multiple concurrent projects, and develop practical engineering solutions for vehicle-mounted systems, sensors, radar platforms, weapon systems, and other mission-critical hardware while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical and structural components, assemblies, brackets, mounts, chassis, enclosures, and support structures for defense and aerospace applications.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and supporting documentation using Creo, applying GD&T and sound drafting practices.
• Perform engineering analysis to support design decisions, including structural calculations and stress analysis for critical components and assemblies.
• Support prototype builds by providing clear documentation, resolving design issues, and participating in hands-on assembly and fit checks.
• Lead and participate in design verification, testing, qualification, and validation activities to ensure products meet performance and reliability requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to transition designs into production, including design for manufacturability, design for assembly, and manufacturing release.
• Participate actively in design reviews, present technical concepts, and provide recommendations throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop mechanical solutions for vehicle-mounted systems, LRUs (Line Replaceable Units), radar equipment, weapon systems, and related mechanical structures.
• Support integration efforts involving manned and unmanned vehicle platforms, ensuring mechanical interfaces and structural integrity are properly addressed.
• Investigate product failures, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design improvements to enhance reliability and performance.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements to ensure compliance with customer needs, industry standards, and applicable regulations.
• Interpret and apply military specifications and standards (MIL-STD/MIL-SPEC) and related engineering requirements in mechanical designs and documentation.
• Work across multiple concurrent development programs, manage shifting priorities, and maintain progress on key deliverables in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, and stress engineering subject matter experts to develop integrated solutions.
• Contribute to new product development and IRAD projects by helping define requirements and specifications, not just executing against established requirements.
• Present new concepts and design ideas in collaborative engineering environments and incorporate feedback into refined design solutions.
• Support products from concept through production release, ensuring continuity of design intent and documentation at each phase.
• Engage in hands-on testing, troubleshooting, and iterative improvement of prototypes and early-stage hardware.
• Apply strong mechanical intuition and practical engineering judgment to balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience focused on structural or mechanical design.
• Proficiency with Creo CAD software for 3D modeling and drawing creation.
• Demonstrated experience designing structural components, brackets, mounts, chassis, enclosures, or similar mechanical hardware.
• Strong understanding of material properties, mechanical design principles, and manufacturing processes relevant to production hardware.
• Experience supporting prototypes, including assembly, testing, and product validation activities.
• Solid knowledge of engineering documentation practices, including GD&T and detailed drawing creation.
• Experience working in R&D, product development, or low-volume/high-mix environments.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and present design solutions during design reviews.
• Comfort presenting new concepts and design ideas in collaborative engineering settings.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing program priorities.
• Strong mechanical intuition and practical engineering judgment.
• Hands-on mindset with a passion for building, testing, and improving products.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience performing structural analysis and stress analysis using ANSYS or comparable FEA tools.
• Experience working on defense, aerospace, military vehicle, radar, sensor, or weapon system programs.
• Familiarity with military standards and specifications (MIL-STD/MIL-SPEC) and their application to mechanical design.
• Experience supporting products from concept development through production release in an engineering environment.
• Experience in small or mid-sized engineering organizations with rapidly changing priorities and less formal structure.
• Experience with mechanical system development, including integration of electromechanical components.
• Knowledge of prototype testing and validation methodologies for mechanical systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing release processes and production support for engineered products.
• Exposure to vehicle-mounted systems, LRUs, radar systems, weapon systems, mounts, and brackets.
• Ability or eligibility to obtain a security clearance, with active Secret Clearance considered a plus.

Work Environment
You join a small, agile engineering team where engineers have significant ownership of their designs and see projects through from concept to production release. The work is heavily R&D-focused, with an emphasis on new product development and IRAD projects rather than sustaining a single mature product line. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with engineers frequently moving between multiple programs and priorities and working in a setting that is intentionally less structured than a large defense contractor. Team members are expected to be comfortable with minimal formal structure and changing priorities, often helping to define requirements and specifications and, in many cases, writing specifications for customers. You collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, and stress engineering groups and engage in hands-on prototype builds, testing, troubleshooting, and validation. The role offers a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off and Monday work-from-home flexibility, providing a balance of focused on-site collaboration and remote work. The environment centers on advanced electromechanical systems, vehicle-mounted platforms, radar systems, LRUs, weapon systems, and related mounts and brackets, giving you broad exposure to diverse defense and aerospace projects in a highly collaborative, ownership-driven culture.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Goleta, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $145000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Health & Wellness Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance PPO and HDHP medical plan options HSA with company contributions Telemedicine access Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Wellness programs and employee assistance resources Financial Benefits 401(k) with company matching contributions Tuition Reimbursement Student Loan Repayment Assistance Company-paid Life Insurance Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage Career Growth Opportunity to work across multiple defense and R&D programs rather than a single product line Exposure to concept development, testing, validation, and production release activities Potential involvement in clearance-related programs for the right candidate
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Goleta,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.