Principal Mechanical Engineer

Who we are:

Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments. We are a technology firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.


About this role:

Do you thrive in innovative, design-driven environments with a high level of both accountability and trust? Are you passionate about delivering elegant hardware and software solutions designed with the operator in mind and the right amount of engineering rigor? If so - we want to hear from you! This role will support the agile development of innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions for U.S. defense agencies that improve the sharing of information among warfighters distributed throughout airborne, maritime, and ground environments.

Fuse is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead development and deployment of our multi-function network controller (CORE®) and Integrated Systems suite of products. Fuse's integrated solutions provide a complete suite of warfighting capabilities in a modular, open architecture that combines networking, computing, and communications in a single hardware package. This role will be a critical member of a talented team of engineers that demonstrate superb technical competency, delivering mission critical communications systems and ensuring the highest levels of availability, performance, and security. We're looking for an experienced mechanical engineer that can balance discipline and attention to detail with outside-the-box thinking and an innovative problem-solving attitude. Must be an agile, pragmatic, detail- oriented, and mission-driven self-starter.

What you'll do:

• Lead a small team of Mechanical Engineers in the planning, design, analysis, and documentation of complex communications devices and integrated systems.
• Implement mechanical systems, equipment, and packages for electronics

• Generate and review mechanical drawings
• Run advanced simulations on complex mechanical components and assemblies
• Interact with vendors to quote mechanical parts
• Participate in integrated product teams and engineering/design reviews
• Lead team members in the preparation of detail design, design testing, and prototype fabrication
• Lead integration between hardware, software, and network systems
• Conduct and support test planning, execution, and post event reporting
• Define electro-mechanical subsystem requirements and specifications
• Conduct research and analysis of system interface documents in order to define, document, and design system connections and architecture
• Manage workflows and task prioritization for junior Mechanical Engineers across multiple projects

Requirements

We are looking for:

Technical Leadership

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering and 15-20 years of experience
• Lead the architecture, design, analysis, and development of advanced mechanical systems and assemblies.

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for mechanical design principles, materials, manufacturing processes, and system integration.
• Drive technical decision-making and ensure alignment with product performance, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, best practices, and design guidelines.
• Experience with analysis needed for airworthiness artifacts
• Advanced skills with Solidworks Simulation analysis (or similar software) to include Structural Static/Fatigue, Thermal (Conduction and Convection) and Computational Flow/Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• Expert level of capability with Solidworks software including experience with eDrawings and Model Based Definition (MBD) of products and assemblies
• Experience designing for thermal constraints
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC and TEMPEST requirements

Product Development

• Own complex projects from concept through production release.
• Conduct detailed engineering analyses including FEA, thermal analysis, tolerance stack-ups, and failure mode analysis.
• Oversee prototype builds, testing, validation, and design verification activities.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless integration.

Innovation & Strategy

• Identify new technologies, materials, and processes to improve product performance and manufacturability.
• Contribute to long-term technical roadmaps and platform strategies.
• Support intellectual property development including patents and technical publications.

Mentorship & Collaboration

• Mentor and develop junior and senior engineers.
• Provide technical reviews and design approvals.
• Influence engineering culture and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, and executive leadership on technical matters.
• Ability to operate effectively in a team environment as well as independently
• US Citizen
• Willingness and ability to obtain a secret clearance

Your own unique talents! If you meet some requirements of this position but not 100% of the qualifications outlined above, tell us why you'd be a great fit for this role based on your specific characteristics that align with our values and goals

Must be a nimble self-starter who is excited about technology and has the ability to think out of the box and suggest powerful new ideas

Nice to have:

• Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Experience with commercial and military documentation artifacts
• Experience in writing, or contributed to, Environmental Qualification Testing (EQT) test plans and coordinating with test houses to achieve design verification
• Experience working with production personnel and creating assembly instructions
• EIA-310 cabinet design and familiarity with Navy Environmental Qualification Testing desired
• Experience in system design, testing, and analysis
• Experience in agile, professional software development environments utilizing revision control, test driven development and continuous integration
• Active Secret Clearance

More about Fuse:

Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking. Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements-providing lasting utility and game-changing results. We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment. We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge.


Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well
• 11 paid Federal Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
• After two years: unlimited
• 40 hours of paid sick leave per year
• 401k with employer matching
• Annual bonuses
• Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month