Syndicate Innovation Engineer

Innovation Engineer Syndicate Riverton Full-time Exempt Shift: Monday-Friday Company Overview Syndicate is a growing organization that provides shared services and operational support to multiple affiliated entities. The innovation engineer plays a critical role in driving a culture of solution focused creativity and tangible results across all entities. Position Overview Small Arms Defense Skunk Works environment. Job Responsibilities Lead the design and development of new firearm products, components, and accessories from concept through commercialization Conduct research on emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods to drive innovation Create detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, and specifications using CAD software Develop and execute product testing protocols, including durability, safety, and performance validation Analyze test data and implement design improvements based on findings Ensure all products meet applicable federal, state, and industry regulations and safety standards Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost efficiency Support prototyping efforts, including hands‑on assembly and evaluation of test units Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for product issues Work with suppliers and vendors on material selection and component development Maintain thorough documentation including design history files, test reports, and compliance records Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and innovation strategy planning Job Qualifications (Required) Technical Foundation Mechanical engineering fundamentals with deep understanding of firearms and accessories Materials science expertise: metallurgy, composites, polymers, and emerging materials (metal matrix composites, advanced ceramics, carbon fiber applications) CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or Creo) with ability to rapidly iterate designs Multidisciplinary Technical Skills Additive manufacturing expertise (DMLS, SLM, binder jetting) for rapid prototyping and novel geometries Innovation & Problem-Solving Systematic innovation frameworks, Biomimicry and cross-domain solution mining (applying concepts from unrelated fields) Constraint-based thinking: thriving when told "impossible" requirements Prototyping & Testing Rapid prototyping mindset: comfort with "good enough to test" over perfection Data acquisition and analysis (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB) Test plan development and DOE (Design of Experiments) methodology Hands‑on troubleshooting in field conditions Manufacturing & Producibility Design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) Understanding of production processes: CNC, MIM, stamping, extrusion, IM Tolerance stack‑up analysis and GD&T expertise Domain-Specific Knowledge Operational experience or deep user empathy (combat veteran, competitive shooter, or extensive end‑user engagement) Threat assessment and emerging tactical requirements International small arms landscape and competitive analysis Military standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1913, etc.) and proof testing requirements Skunk Works Mindset Extreme ownership and self‑direction Comfort with ambiguity and rapidly changing requirements Speed bias: 80% solution tomorrow beats 100% solution next quarter Scrappiness: making do with limited resources Direct communication style, bypassing bureaucracy when mission‑critical Willingness to challenge conventional wisdom Soft Skills & Attributes Technical communication: translating complex engineering to military end‑users and non‑technical leadership Collaborative spirit despite independent work style Intellectual curiosity: constant learning across disciplines Resilience: handling failed tests and rapid pivots without losing momentum Cultural Fit Indicators Thrives in unstructured environments Driven by mission impact over process compliance Comfortable being the "jack of all trades, master of several" Excited by technical risk‑taking Prefers building things to endless analysis Can context‑switch rapidly between projects Job Qualifications (Preferred) Multidisciplinary Technical Skills Electronics and programming Optics and photonics experience Bonus Differentiators Competition shooting experience (USPSA, 3-Gun, PRS) for user perspective Software development skills #J-18808-Ljbffr SilencerCo, LLC