Mechanical Engineer

The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the design, development, analysis, integration, test, and production support of mechanical hardware and systems for aerospace, solid rocket propulsion, defense, and national security applications.

The position reports to the Engineering Manager and is part of the Engineering Department based in Folsom, Reno, Long Beach, or Huntsville. This role is hybrid. Relocation assistance may be provided to qualified candidates.

Essential Functions:

• Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, structures, tooling, and propulsion-related hardware from concept through production, applying sound mechanical engineering principles and applicable aerospace and defense standards.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and other technical documentation for solid rocket motor and aerospace hardware.
• Perform and/or support mechanical engineering analyses, including structural, thermal, stress, fatigue, fracture, tolerance, vibration, and load-path analyses as appropriate to the assigned program.
• Support the development, integration, qualification, acceptance, and environmental testing of aerospace and solid rocket propulsion hardware; review test data and support root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with propulsion, systems, manufacturing, quality, materials, test, configuration management, and program teams to ensure designs are producible, testable, reliable, and compliant with requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and technical working groups, including requirements reviews, preliminary and critical design reviews, manufacturing readiness activities, failure reviews, and configuration-controlled change processes.
• Support manufacturing and production by resolving technical issues, evaluating nonconformances, providing engineering dispositions, and implementing design improvements while maintaining safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Apply aerospace and defense engineering practices, GD&T, configuration control, risk management, design-for-manufacturability, and lessons learned to improve hardware performance, reliability, and producibility.

Basic Qualifications:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering field with 4 years of relevant professional experience OR a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering field with 2 years of relevant professional experience OR 8 years of relevant engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
2. 4–10 years of professional experience in mechanical engineering, aerospace, defense, propulsion, manufacturing, or a closely related engineering discipline.
3. Demonstrated experience designing and developing mechanical hardware, structures, components, assemblies, tooling, or test equipment in a complex engineering environment.
4. Experience with 3D CAD modeling, engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and engineering documentation.
5. Working knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structural mechanics, materials, thermal effects, loads, interfaces, and design-for-manufacturability.
6. Ability to interpret and develop technical requirements, specifications, drawings, and engineering documentation and communicate technical recommendations to cross-functional teams.
7. Experience supporting hardware development, integration, testing, manufacturing, or production troubleshooting in an aerospace, defense, propulsion, or other high-reliability environment.
8. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance, if required for the assigned position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with solid rocket motors, rocket propulsion hardware, motor cases, nozzles, igniters, insulation, interfaces, or associated ground/test equipment.
• Experience with aerospace or defense standards and analysis tools such as FEA, ANSYS, MATLAB, tolerance analysis software, or similar engineering tools.

Travel, Physical and/or Government Mandated Requirements:

• Travel up to 10%, including the possibility of overnights, to support suppliers, manufacturing operations, test activities, program reviews, or other business needs.
• Ability to work in office, manufacturing, laboratory, and test environments and safely work around mechanical hardware and associated equipment as required.
• Certain positions may require eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance and/or compliance with applicable export-control requirements.