Design Engineer III

Digitailor; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Saving

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense in Mukilteo, WA, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead structural and mechanism designs from concept through delivery, guiding junior engineers and supporting manufacturing and testing across the product lifecycle.

The role requires a bachelor's in mechanical or aerospace engineering, 4–7 years of aerospace/defense experience, proficiency in SolidWorks and CAD/CAE tools, and the ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience and registration.
• Typically 4–7 years of aerospace or defense engineering experience.
• Solid understanding of multiple engineering technologies related to mechanical systems design.
• Proven experience leading the design of robust mechanical hardware.
• Knowledge of military and commercial design specifications.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Knowledge of computer‑aided design (CAD) and computer‑aided engineering (CAE) tools for mechanical systems.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Leads design activities for mechanical systems, structures, and mechanisms in support of customer and program requirements.
• Develops conceptual and detailed 2‑D layouts and 3‑D solid models to define mechanical designs.
• Performs mechanical engineering calculations and analyses to validate safe operation and compliance with specifications.
• Reviews and verifies calculations, analyses, and design work completed by peers and junior engineers.
• Documents design requirements, test plans, test procedures, test reports, and compliance evidence.
• Evaluates design concepts for cost, manufacturability, and quality considerations.
• Creates engineering drawings, bills of materials, manufacturing requirements, and inspection specifications.
• Supports manufacturing, assembly, quality assurance, testing, and deployment throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provides technical support for internal teams, external customers, and business development efforts.
• Mentors junior engineers and serves as a resource for mechanical engineering design practices.

Skills

Mechanical design leadership

GD&T knowledge

SolidWorks proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD/CAE tools

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs. This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains. Backed by decades of flight‑proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission‑critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems. In this role, you will lead mechanical design efforts that shape aerospace structures, mechanisms, and systems from concept through delivery. You will drive engineering execution, guide junior engineers, support manufacturing and testing activities, and contribute to new business development by translating customer requirements into robust, producible designs that meet demanding performance and quality expectations.

Responsibilities

Leads design activities for mechanical systems, structures, and mechanisms in support of customer and program requirements. Develops conceptual and detailed 2‑D layouts and 3‑D solid models to define mechanical designs. Performs mechanical engineering calculations and analyses to validate safe operation and compliance with specifications. Reviews and verifies calculations, analyses, and design work completed by peers and junior engineers. Documents design requirements, test plans, test procedures, test reports, and compliance evidence. Evaluates design concepts for cost, manufacturability, and quality considerations. Creates engineering drawings, bills of materials, manufacturing requirements, and inspection specifications. Supports manufacturing, assembly, quality assurance, testing, and deployment throughout the product lifecycle. Provides technical support for internal teams, external customers, and business development efforts. Mentors junior engineers and serves as a resource for mechanical engineering design practices. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience and registration. Typically 4–7 years of aerospace or defense engineering experience. Solid understanding of multiple engineering technologies related to mechanical systems design. Proven experience leading the design of robust mechanical hardware. Knowledge of military and commercial design specifications. Proficiency in SolidWorks and experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). Knowledge of computer‑aided design (CAD) and computer‑aided engineering (CAE) tools for mechanical systems. A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off Health Saving