Lead Mechanical Engineer

Lead Mechanical Engineer

?? Los Angeles County

?? Full-time | On-site

Company Overview

My client designs and manufactures advanced RF, antenna, and related hardware for aerospace, defense, space, and other high-performance applications.

Position Overview

We're seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to drive mechanical design and product development while providing technical leadership to a small engineering team.

This role is ideal for an experienced Mechanical Engineer looking to take the next step into technical leadership, with the opportunity to mentor engineers and develop management skills while remaining heavily involved in hands-on design.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a small Mechanical Engineering team while remaining actively involved in hands-on design and product development.
• Own mechanical engineering execution across new product development, sustaining engineering, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the design of ruggedized hardware and mechanical components from concept through CAD, analysis, drawings, design reviews, qualification, and production release.
• Develop compact mechanical packaging, housings, enclosures, mounting features, interfaces, and related hardware for complex electronic/RF products.
• Drive DFM/DFA, CNC-machined and injection-molded component design , tolerance analysis, engineering changes, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and product/process improvements.
• Lead environmental qualification and verification testing, including vibration, shock, thermal, and other robustness requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Product, and customers.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, preferably designing aerospace, defense, or similarly ruggedized hardware.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD for mechanical design.
• Experience designing CNC-machined components and applying DFM principles.
• Experience designing injection-molded components.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Experience supporting mechanical hardware development from concept through manufacturing and production.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification standards such as MIL-STD-810 and DO-160.
• Experience mentoring engineers, leading projects, or providing technical guidance preferred; formal management experience is not required.
• Interest in growing into a broader engineering leadership role.
• ITAR: Applicants must meet applicable U.S. Person requirements under ITAR/EAR or otherwise be eligible to obtain required U.S. Government authorization. ITAR defines a U.S. person as any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).