Senior Mechanical Engineer - 21429

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Defense Search

OVERVIEW

Are you looking for a new career opportunity with an exciting Defense/Aerospace company?! Then we've got the right team for you! In this role, you're responsible for the duties listed below.

Immediate opening for a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Hawthorne, CA who possesses:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical design engineering and hardware development experience within a highly regulated industry such as Aerospace, Defense, Medical Device, or Automotive
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software, with Creo preferred
• Deep understanding of GD&T, Design for Manufacturability, and Design for Assembly principles
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis for structural, thermal, vibration, and/or dynamic applications preferred
• U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident required

FULL DESCRIPTION: We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, development, testing, and manufacturing of advanced stationary and mobile antenna systems and related mechanical assemblies. This hands-on engineering role will contribute across the full product lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through prototyping, qualification testing, manufacturing, and customer support. The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical product design experience in a highly regulated environment, advanced 3D CAD skills, deep knowledge of GD&T and DFM/DFA principles, and the ability to lead technical efforts while mentoring junior engineers.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Designing high-precision mechanical components, enclosures, assemblies, and related hardware
• Supporting the mechanical design and development of stationary and mobile antenna systems
• Creating and maintaining detailed 3D CAD models and engineering drawings
• Using Creo or similar 3D CAD software for mechanical product development
• Leading mechanical engineering efforts on select programs
• Providing technical expertise across multiple integrated product teams
• Working closely with Program Managers, engineers, Manufacturing, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams
• Performing hands-on mechanical design and engineering analysis
• Building and evaluating prototypes
• Supporting root cause troubleshooting and hardware problem-solving activities
• Conducting structural, thermal, vibration, dynamic, and related engineering analyses as applicable
• Using FEA to evaluate designs for demanding environmental and operating conditions
• Preparing and presenting engineering design and analysis material during internal and customer design reviews
• Optimizing designs for manufacturability and assembly
• Applying DFM and DFA principles throughout the product development lifecycle
• Collaborating with internal production teams and outside suppliers during manufacturing
• Supporting component-level and system-level environmental qualification testing
• Preparing detailed manufacturing documentation, test procedures, assembly instructions, and related technical records
• Supporting configuration management throughout product development and manufacturing
• Evaluating mechanical design trade-offs involving performance, reliability, manufacturability, maintainability, and cost
• Supporting design activities involving machining, casting, injection molding, additive manufacturing, and related manufacturing processes
• Supporting designs involving composite structures, advanced materials, coatings, and surface treatments as needed
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers
• Communicating complex technical information clearly to engineering teams, leadership, suppliers, and customers
• Supporting products throughout development, production, testing, and customer deployment
• Performing other duties as assigned

The selected candidate will also possess:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering required
• 5+ years of mechanical product design and hardware development experience required
• Experience within Aerospace, Defense, Medical Device, Automotive, or another highly regulated engineering environment strongly preferred
• Strong hands-on mechanical engineering experience required
• Strong 3D CAD modeling experience required
• Creo experience strongly preferred
• SolidWorks or similar advanced CAD experience may be considered
• Strong understanding of GD&T required
• Strong ability to read and create engineering drawings required
• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacturability required
• Strong knowledge of Design for Assembly required
• Experience with configuration management required
• Finite Element Analysis experience preferred
• Experience performing structural, thermal, vibration, shock, or dynamic analysis preferred
• Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies preferred
• Experience with positioner drive systems, gear trains, motion-control hardware, or similar mechanical systems a plus
• Knowledge of machining, casting, injection molding, additive manufacturing, and related manufacturing processes preferred
• Experience with composite materials, advanced materials, coatings, or surface treatments preferred
• Experience supporting environmental or qualification testing preferred
• Experience working directly with production teams and outside suppliers required
• Strong mechanical problem-solving and root cause analysis skills required
• Ability to lead technical activities on assigned programs
• Ability to mentor and support junior engineers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required
• Ability to present technical information effectively during design reviews
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills required
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented engineering environment
• Ability to manage changing priorities across multiple programs
• Ability to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA
• Ability to travel up to approximately 10% as needed
• U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident required due to U.S. Government contract requirements
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance if required
• No sponsorship available

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and work at a CAD workstation or computer for extended periods while performing design, analysis, documentation, and engineering activities
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, bend, reach, and move throughout engineering, laboratory, testing, and manufacturing environments as needed
• Ability to use hands and fingers for computer work, prototype assembly, testing, troubleshooting, measurement, and standard engineering tasks
• Ability to review detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, test data, analysis results, and computer screens for extended periods
• Ability to occasionally lift or move prototype equipment, files, components, or materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds
• Ability to work around prototypes, test equipment, manufacturing equipment, machinery, chemicals, and electromagnetic energy as applicable
• Ability to work in environments that may include occasional elevated noise levels
• Ability to wear required PPE and follow all applicable engineering, laboratory, manufacturing, quality, and safety procedures
• Ability to travel to vendor facilities, customer locations, design reviews, or off-site testing locations as needed
• Ability to occasionally support irregular or extended work hours based on program, testing, or production needs
• Ability to maintain accuracy, sound engineering judgment, and attention to detail while supporting complex mechanical systems

Salary Range: $115,000 to $150,000/year
More information can be found at

Defense Search is a specialized recruiting and staffing firm dedicated exclusively to the defense & aerospace industry. We place candidates on a contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire basis.

Company Description

Defense Search is a specialized recruiting and staffing firm dedicated exclusively to the defense & aerospace industry. We place candidates on a contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire basis.