Engineering Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Attalon / Location Overview

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Located along Colorado’s scenic Front Range and nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont offers a high quality of life, breathtaking natural beauty, and easy access to outdoor recreation, making it the perfect place to balance work and play.

This role is an on-site position based in Longmont, CO. Our Laser and Gimbal Systems Division focuses on building high energy lasers and precision opto-mechanical assemblies for the defense market, supporting critical national security initiatives and defense innovation. At Attalon, we’re redefining performance, precision, and reliability in defense technologies.

Job Details

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead our Mechanical Engineering team based in Longmont, CO. In this position, you will provide strategic leadership and hands-on guidance to a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, playing a pivotal role in advancing our engineering capabilities. You will manage team recruitment, performance, and career development, while serving as a mentor to cultivate technical expertise, innovation, and a strong focus on delivering high-quality solutions to our customers. In addition to overseeing the mechanical design and analytical efforts across our portfolio of Laser and Gimbal Systems, you’ll work to enhance the team’s technical competencies, ensure affordability, and drive the successful execution of program objectives. This role includes an approximate 80/20 balance between direct program involvement and team/administrative leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Management
  • Oversee recruitment, career development, performance assessments, salary planning, and employee recognition for the mechanical engineering team. 
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment by mentoring and coaching engineers, promoting skill development, and ensuring knowledge transfer initiatives. 
  • Conduct gap assessments, define training plans, and implement strategies to enhance the team’s technical capabilities. 
  • Actively promote a customer-focused mindset to ensure the delivery of innovative and reliable mechanical solutions.

• Project and Resource Oversight
  • Plan and manage mechanical design and analysis resources to support the successful execution of a portfolio of laser and gimbal system programs. 
  • Allocate resources effectively to support program requirements, meet deadlines, and drive program success. 
  • Maintain close oversight of Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning and support Basis of Estimate (BOE) generation activities related to mechanical engineering tasks.
• Technical Leadership
  • Serve as the senior subject matter expert in mechanical engineering disciplines, including structural, thermal, materials, and manufacturing design. 
  • Champion technical excellence, fostering innovative and cost-effective solutions that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements. 
  • Drive robust engineering processes by enforcing the Engineering Practice Manual (EPM), Design Assurance standards, and design assurance planning. 
  • Actively participate in key technical tasks as an individual contributor while providing oversight and direction for all mechanical engineering activities.
• Design and Development
  • Oversee mechanical design, analyses, and integration efforts to ensure alignment with performance, affordability, quality, and safety goals. 
  • Review and approve technical documentation, ensuring compliance with quality standards, operational safety, and reliability requirements. 
  • Support system-level design coordination with cross-functional teams, including Systems Engineering, Electrical, Software, Test, and Manufacturing, to integrate mechanical designs into comprehensive sensor and hardware solutions.
• Program Execution and Business Development Support
  • Support program development efforts, including customer proposal development, system requirements definition, and technical reviews. 
  • Guide the team to align engineering efforts with organizational and programmatic goals, ensuring project deadlines and cost-efficiency expectations are met.
• Advancing Technology and Innovation
  • Drive innovation through collaboration, exploration of new methodologies and tools, and integration of advanced engineering technologies for performance improvement. 
  • Define and execute strategic initiatives to grow the team’s capabilities and align with future program objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of related experience in a professional role with a Bachelor’s degree or related discipline.
• Minimum of seven years of experience with a Master’s degree or three years with a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in optomechanical or precision mechanism design: Familiarity with optomechanical design principles and/or precision mechanism development. The ability to apply core engineering fundamentals throughout the design process is essential. Experience in both areas is highly desirable but not required. 
• Knowledge of optical system design: Experience working with optical systems from concept to production, including optics, mounting strategies, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), manufacturability, and cost estimation. 
• Competence with 3D CAD software: Proficiency with 3D CAD tools; experience using SOLIDWORKS and Solidworks PDM is preferred. 
• Familiarity with analysis methods and tools: Understanding of thermal, vibrational, and shock analysis methods for optical systems or precision mechanisms. Experience with analysis tools such as Femap/NX Nastran, Simcenter 3D, Mathcad, Matlab, and/or Star CCM+ is preferred. Familiarity with Sigmadyne’s SigFit software is a plus. 
• Experience with precision mechanisms: Hands-on experience in the design, analysis, assembly, and testing of precision mechanisms, including motor and bearing sizing, encoder selection, lubrication, and flexure design. 
• Understanding of advanced materials: Familiarity with designing subsystems that use specialized materials such as ceramics, specialty metals (e.g., Invar), carbon fiber composites, and optical coatings. 
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools and practices: Knowledge of methodologies such as error budgeting, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Technical Performance Measure (TPM) tracking. 
• Exposure to optical systems integration and testing: Experience with integrating, aligning, or testing optical systems is highly valued, and familiarity with optical and dynamic testing or data analysis is a plus. 
• Design for assembly and integration: Understanding of key principles for designing complex optomechanical systems, including alignment planning, tolerance stack analysis, and assembly workflows. 
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills: Effective communication and collaboration skills with a proven ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team. Attention to detail and a structured approach to problem-solving are essential.

For Colorado, the salary pay range for this role is $120,000.00- $202,500.00

Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.