Director of Mechanical Engineering - Space Hardware

Trident Systems; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Holidays

Annual discretionary bonus

Job summary

Trident Systems in Sterling, VA seeks an accomplished Director of Mechanical Engineering to build and grow our mechanical discipline for DoD/IC/Civil space programs. This dual-role leads the organization and serves as CME with technical signature for mechanical designs across programs.

The role defines processes and leads staffing, career development, and performance, while ensuring alignment with aerospace, DoD, and space qualification standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 15+ years of related experience including leadership of mechanical engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a design authority or equivalent technical signature for aerospace/space hardware.
• Prior experience in a functional or people-management role, including hiring, performance management, and staff development.
• Experience defining or maturing engineering processes and standards within aerospace/defense or regulated environment.
• Experience with aerospace/space hardware development and PDM/configuration management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Cognizant Mechanical Engineer design authority, holding sign-off for mechanical designs and drawings.
• Lead mechanical design of spacecraft electronics assemblies using CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
• Review and approve detailed structural and thermal analyses for flight readiness.
• Provide technical oversight of environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, shock).
• Resolve cross-disciplinary issues across mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware domains.
• Represent mechanical engineering authority in customer, program, and executive reviews.

Skills

Design authority

Mechanical engineering

People management

PDM / configuration management

Space hardware development

Education

ABET-accredited degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PDM systems

Job description

Trident Systems in Sterling, VA seeks an accomplished Director of Mechanical Engineering to build and grow our mechanical discipline for DoD/IC/Civil space programs. This dual-role leads the organization and serves as CME with technical signature for mechanical designs across programs.

The role defines processes and leads staffing, career development, and performance, while ensuring alignment with aerospace, DoD, and space qualification standards and best practices.