Mechanical Engineer - Directed Energy

Electro Optic Systems; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Electro Optic Systems in Canberra is seeking two Mechanical Engineers to advance our directed energy programs. You will take designs from concept through analysis and detailed drawing to field-ready systems, with emphasis on precision opto‑mechanical structures and thermal management.

Each role spends time in the field, tackling beam director assemblies, cooling loops, platform integration, and equipment maintenance, with hands-on work in the workshop and on trial sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical, mechatronic or aerospace engineering.
• Minimum 4 years in mechanical design for demanding applications.
• Advanced 3D CAD proficiency in SolidWorks, Creo, NX or Inventor.
• Demonstrated analysis capability across structural, modal or thermal cases.
• Practical understanding of machining, sheet metal, welding and surface treatment processes and their cost drivers.
• Experience taking a design from concept through prototype build to test.
• Hands-on approach, comfortable in the workshop and on the range.
• Willingness to travel to the test range and trial sites regularly, including periods of out-of-hours work.

Responsibilities

• Design precision opto‑mechanical assemblies including beam director structures, mirror mounts, gimbal interfaces and optical bench layouts.
• Design thermal management for high energy laser subsystems, including liquid cooling loops, chillers, heat exchangers, pumps and coolant selection.
• Produce detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings to AS 1100 with correct geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance stacks and fits.
• Perform structural, modal, thermal and fluid analysis to verify stiffness, alignment stability, cooling capacity and transport survivability.
• Design the platform integration, including layout, mounting, access, serviceability, mass properties and lifting provisions for containerised and vehicle mounted configurations.
• Select materials, finishes, fasteners and coolants suited to alignment retention, corrosion resistance and the Australian field environment.
• Work with suppliers and the internal workshop on manufacturability, cost and lead time, and support build, alignment, integration, test and field maintenance.
• Maintain drawing sets, bills of material and configuration records under engineering change control, and contribute to design reviews and trade studies.

Skills

Mechanical design

Opto-mechanical

Thermal analysis

3D CAD

Structural analysis

FEM experience

Manufacturing drawings

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

NX

Inventor

Job description

We continually strive to help our workforce achieve their professional and personal goals, engaging them in challenging and inspiring projects.

EOS – Who are we?

EOS is a world leader in designing, developing and building advanced technology products and services for the global defence and space domains.

We develop and produce systems that can detect, identify, stabilise, control and communicate to inform strategic decision‑making.

EOS operates on the global stage and is a well‑established member of the international defence and space communities.

Find out more

What we do

EOS News

Job Summary

EOS is building our high energy laser weapon capability. The Directed Energy group develops and demonstrates laser systems in the tens to hundreds of kilowatts class for counter‑uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) and short range air defence roles, spanning the laser source, beam director, tracking and fire control, power and thermal management, and platform integration.

We are hiring two Mechanical Engineers to work together across the system. Between you the scope runs from precision opto‑mechanics, meaning beam director structures, benches and mounts that must hold micro‑radian alignment after being trucked down a dirt road, through to thermal management and platform integration, meaning the coolant loops that allow sustained engagement and the packaging that makes the system deployable.

We are not looking for two identical people. Strength at either end of that range is welcome, provided you will work across the whole of it and cover for each other. You will take designs from concept through analysis and detailed drawing to a system that works in the field, and you will be there for the build.

Every role in this team spends time in the field. Our systems are proven at the test range and on trial sites, and you will be there when that happens.

Primary Duties

The job plays a pivotal role in the structural, thermal and physical integrity of EOS directed energy systems, and therefore in whether the beam stays where it is pointed and the system can keep firing.

You will provide expertise in precision mechanical design, structural and thermal analysis, and design for manufacture, assembly, transport and field maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design precision opto‑mechanical assemblies including beam director structures, mirror mounts, gimbal interfaces and optical bench layouts.
• Design thermal management for high energy laser subsystems, including liquid cooling loops, chillers, heat exchangers, pumps and coolant selection.
• Produce detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings to AS 1100 with correct geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance stacks and fits.
• Perform structural, modal, thermal and fluid analysis to verify stiffness, alignment stability, cooling capacity and transport survivability.
• Design the platform integration, including layout, mounting, access, serviceability, mass properties and lifting provisions for containerised and vehicle mounted configurations.
• Select materials, finishes, fasteners and coolants suited to alignment retention, corrosion resistance and the Australian field environment.
• Work with suppliers and the internal workshop on manufacturability, cost and lead time, and support build, alignment, integration, test and field maintenance.
• Maintain drawing sets, bills of material and configuration records under engineering change control, and contribute to design reviews and trade studies.

Experience

Essential:

• Degree in mechanical, mechatronic or aerospace engineering.
• Minimum 4 years in mechanical design for demanding applications, ideally precision, opto‑mechanical or thermal systems.
• Advanced 3D CAD proficiency in SolidWorks, Creo, NX or Inventor, with strong drafting and tolerancing discipline.
• Demonstrated analysis capability across structural, modal or thermal cases, with the hand calculation skills to sanity check the model.
• Practical understanding of machining, sheet metal, welding and surface treatment processes and their cost drivers.
• Experience taking a design from concept through prototype build to test, including the rework that follows.
• Hands‑on approach, comfortable in the workshop and on the range rather than only at the CAD station.
• Willingness to travel to the test range and trial sites regularly, including periods of out‑of‑hours work around demonstration campaigns.

Highly Regarded

• Experience with gimbals, precision bearings, servo drives or stabilised structures.
• Experience designing liquid cooling loops, including pump and heat exchanger sizing and pressure drop analysis.
• Exposure to ISO container or vehicle integration, and to environmental qualification testing.
• Experience with kinematic and athermal optical mounting, or with PDM and PLM systems.