Manager, Mechanical Engineering

nLIGHT; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a dynamic team in the design and integration of complex High Energy Laser systems. This role demands a strong commitment to excellence and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing requirements. You will oversee the entire mechanical engineering process, from concept to final design, while fostering professional growth within your team. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration, and contribute to groundbreaking projects that shape the future of defense technology. If you have a passion for engineering and leadership, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance (100% for Employee)

Dental Insurance (75% for Dependents)

Vision Care (75% for Dependents)

Company Paid Life Insurance

Short and Long Term Disability

401k with Immediate Vesting

Paid Time Off (Approx. 3 weeks)

11 Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• 8+ years in mechanical system design and integration required.
• 2+ years managing engineering teams essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and integration of mechanical systems.
• Mentor team members and manage project alignment.

Skills

Mechanical System Design

Project Management

SolidWorks

Leadership

Troubleshooting

DFMA

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

GitLab

Jira

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

GitLab

Jira

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Position: Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Experience: A minimum of 8+ years of experience.

Minimum Education: BS or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or in related field.

Location: Longmont, CO

Compensation Range: $140,000-$190,000 depending upon education, skills, and experience.

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DS is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities to develop high-performance and cost-effective systems. The ideal candidate has a strong work ethic, is highly organized, self-motivated, enjoys working as part of a team, and has an insatiable appetite to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Our Mechanical Engineering team at nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. synchronizes all mechanical, thermal, and packaging aspects of design and integration for complex HEL weapon systems. We are looking to add a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a team of motivated Mechanical Engineers excited about integrating HEL weapon systems.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the team in the design, analysis, and assembly of mechanical systems from concept through final design and integration.
• Oversee procurement and assembly of engineering builds, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to team members, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing.
• Manage the mechanical engineering team, ensuring alignment with project goals and schedules.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.

Required Experience / Capability:

• Commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
• Pride in workmanship and delivering high-quality results.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in complex mechanical system design and integration.
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience managing dynamic and collaborative mechanical engineering teams.
• Ability to adapt to frequently changing requirements and develop rapid-turn solutions.
• Proficiency in project management software such as GitLab, Jira, or similar.
• Expertise in system-level trade studies and documenting engineering decisions.
• Strong leadership in developing and guiding the creation of design solutions based on requirements and stakeholder inputs.
• Experience breaking down large-scale system designs and delegating tasks to a diverse team.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and ability to perform hand calculations to verify design requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in fabrication and assembly drawing preparation for manufacturing (ISO and ANSI standards).
• Expertise in design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA), with knowledge of various manufacturing techniques.

Additional Desired Experience / Capability:

• Supervisory and/or management experience in an engineering environment.
• Experience in rugged design for optical systems.
• Familiarity with electro-optical systems implementation and optical system alignment/test methods.
• Experience in opto-mechanical assembly.
• Proficiency in thermal management systems and STOP analysis.
• Expertise in vibration test, analysis, and isolation methods.
• Experience in finite element analysis (FEA) and modeling of vibration and thermal effects.
• Proficiency in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.
• Familiarity with MATLAB and LabVIEW.
• Experience with Adaptive Optical (AO) Systems and/or High Energy Laser systems.
• Exposure to MIL-STD-810 design and/or testing.
• Experience operating machining, welding, or fabrication equipment.

Benefits Summary: Health (ACA Gold Plan), Dental and Vision Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents. Company paid Life Insurance and Short and Long Term Disability. Competitive 401k with immediate vesting of company contribution. Approx. 3 weeks Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays.

nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.