Senior Mechanical Engineer: Precision Optics & Gimbal

Safran; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and development of advanced electro-optical systems and precision gimbal assemblies. You will drive end-to-end design, verification, and manufacturing support for high-precision aerospace hardware.

The role requires 5–10+ years of experience, proficiency in CATIA/FEA, tolerance analysis, and a track record delivering products from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics Engineering.
• 5-10+ years of experience in advanced mechanical product development.
• Proven experience delivering products from concept through commercial production.
• Strong expertise in precision mechanical design, CATIA, FEA, thermal analysis, and structural engineering.
• Experience with precision mechanisms, servo systems, stabilised platforms, or motion control.
• Knowledge of tolerance analysis, vibration isolation, dynamic balancing, and lightweight structures.
• Experience leading technical design reviews and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience within Defence, Aerospace, EO/IR, Robotics, or other high-precision engineering environments is advantageous.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence NV1 Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end mechanical design and development of advanced systems.
• Develop mechanical requirements, specifications, verification plans, and technical documentation.
• Design precision mechanical assemblies using CATIA and modern CAD tools.
• Define mechanical interfaces across optics, electronics, sensors, actuators, and structural components.
• Perform or oversee FEA, thermal analysis, CFD simulations, and structural optimisation.
• Lead precision bearing, actuator, and motion system selection.
• Optimise mechanical performance through tolerance analysis, dynamic balancing, vibration isolation, lightweight structures, and backlash reduction.
• Support sensor alignment, boresight processes, and manufacturing method development.
• Drive Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Supportability initiatives.
• Lead engineering design reviews, technical risk assessments, and engineering change activities.
• Support system-level performance optimisation alongside controls, electronics, optical, software, and systems engineering teams

Skills

Precision design

Servo systems

Stabilised platforms

Motion control

Tolerance analysis

Dynamic balancing

Vibration isolation

Design reviews

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

CATIA

FEA

Thermal analysis

CFD simulations

CAD tools

Job description

Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and development of advanced electro-optical systems and precision gimbal assemblies. You will drive end-to-end design, verification, and manufacturing support for high-precision aerospace hardware.

The role requires 5–10+ years of experience, proficiency in CATIA/FEA, tolerance analysis, and a track record delivering products from concept to production.