Lead Mechanical Engineer - Directed Energy

Huntington Ingalls Industries; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 101,354 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join the team in Knoxville, TN. The role involves leading the design, development, and integration of advanced mechanical systems for directed energy platforms.

The ideal candidate will have over 9 years of experience, high proficiency in SolidWorks, and demonstrated leadership in engineering projects. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.

Qualifications

• 9 years of relevant experience with Bachelor's in a related field.
• High proficiency in SolidWorks for complex assemblies.
• Experience managing tasks within budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts for mechanical systems.
• Translate requirements into CAD models.
• Communicate effectively with government customers.

Skills

SolidWorks CAD proficiency

Fundamental engineering analysis

Technical leadership

GD&T expertise

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

ANSYS

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer - Directed Energy

Requisition Number: 29065

Required Travel: 0 - 10%

Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $101,354.00 - $165,000.00

Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain

Level of Experience: Senior

This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.

HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.

Job Description

HII, Mission Technologies has an opportunity available for a Lead Mechanical Engineer located in Knoxville, TN.

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced mechanical systems that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that mechanical designs—including structural components, thermal management systems, precision assemblies, and packaging solutions—translate into safe, functional, and production-ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

The ideal candidate will excel at computer-aided mechanical engineering design, demonstrate leadership in collaborative multidisciplinary environments, and thrive when developing solutions with incomplete or evolving requirements typical of advanced defense programs.

Design & Engineering Leadership

• Lead computer-aided mechanical engineering design for structural components, power electronics, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, and mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms.
• Direct design efforts for structural components, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, mechanical and electro‑mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms.
• Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems.
• Translate requirements into polished 2D/3D CAD models using SolidWorks.
• Perform and oversee fundamental engineering analysis (stress, thermal, vibration, fluid dynamics).
• Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems and prototypes.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Systems Integration

• Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture.
• Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers and program management.
• Interface with manufacturing to optimize designs for fabrication.
• Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements.
• Identify, articulate, and manage risks across mechanical, structural, and thermal systems.
• Solve complex engineering problems in fast‑paced environments with evolving requirements.
• Lead design reviews and DFMEA, serving as technical escalation point.

Technical Documentation & Configuration Leadership

• Create and approve engineering drawings with GD&T, design documentation, and technical specifications.
• Review and approve documentation from junior team members.

Stakeholder Communication & Program Leadership

• Communicate effectively with government customers, leadership, and technical experts.
• Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in design quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.

Minimum Qualifications

• 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; or 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field.
• High-level of proficiency in SolidWorks CAD for complex assemblies and systems.
• Extensive experience with GD&T, creating manufacturing‑ready drawings, and DFM principles.
• Ability to translate requirements into tasks and completed designs.
• Ability to perform fundamental analysis working from first principles.
• Demonstrated technical leadership driving results in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.
• Experience in creating DFMEA.
• Experience managing tasks within budgets.
• Experience with fabrication, manufacturing methods, and hands‑on prototyping.
• Proven leadership mentoring and developing engineers across all levels.
• SolidWorks PDM and configuration management experience.
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.

Preferred Requirements

• FEA/CFD experience with complex analysis and optimization.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and ANSYS for modeling and simulation.
• Deep thermal management expertise for high‑power applications.
• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.
• Clearance: Active SECRET level security clearance.

The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Do You Need Assistance?

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.