Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This role supports the mechanical design of optical instruments and laser systems in space and tactical environments. As a mechanical design engineer, you’ll work in cross-disciplined teams of various sizes to deliver the solutions our customers rely on. The opportunities for this position include working on new designs through sustaining engineering.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the design effort for optical instruments used in space and tactical environments from the proposal phase through award, detailed design, fabrication, assembly, test, and requirement verification.
• Develop the mechanical architecture that meets mission requirements for optical instruments including bench design, optics mounting concepts, and sub-system layout.
• Support Internal Research and Development work on the design of optical and laser systems.
• Support subcontract management for optics and optical assemblies.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principals to create hardware designs that are streamlined for manufacturing, assembly, and integration for multi-build and low-rate production contracts.
• Optimize designs to meet cost and schedule as well as manage efforts through robust engineering change processes including risk and opportunity management.
• Define, maintain, iterate, and verify the opto-mechanical and optical payload requirements that are needed to meet the system and other subsystem requirements and interfaces.
• Work on CAD and support cross-functional analyses (STOP and other related analyses) over the full development lifecycle.
• Opportunity to extend into a position of leading large teams of design and analysis engineers withe the majority of time spent leading the team and communicating with the internal and external customers.
• Mentoring less experienced engineers on design approaches and fundamentals.
• Coordinate with personnel from all other sub-systems, including external interfaces such as customers, customer consultants, sub-system providers and vehicle providers.
• Collaboration with systems engineering and program management.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Experience with optomechanical engineering through the design of precision mounts and supporting structure
• Proficient in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Proficient in GD&T, drawing generation, design for manufacturability and assembly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment making sound technical decisions based on experience and engineering judgement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.

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A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Mechanical engineering degree is preferred.
• Experience with composites is preferred.
• Background with laser systems is preferred.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.


Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Multiple positions may be available on this opening.