Manager, Mechanical Engineering

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

Job summary

Join a pioneering firm focused on High Energy Laser weapon systems, seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a dedicated team. This role emphasizes design and integration of complex mechanical systems, ensuring high-quality results in a fast-paced environment. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and drive innovative solutions. With a commitment to excellence and a supportive workplace, this opportunity offers competitive compensation and benefits, including comprehensive health coverage and generous PTO. If you're ready to make a significant impact in defense technology, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Short and Long Term Disability

401k with Immediate Vesting

PTO

11 Holidays

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and assembly of mechanical systems.
• Manage the mechanical engineering team and align with project goals.
• Mentor and lead team members, fostering growth and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Mechanical System Design

Team Management

Project Management Software

SolidWorks

Troubleshooting Skills

Design for Manufacturability

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

GitLab

Jira

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Description

Position: Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Experience: A minimum of 8+ years of experience.

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

Location: Longmont, CO

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

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a leading developer of High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems, a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DS leverages internal capabilities from semiconductor devices to target tracking to develop high-performance, cost-effective systems. We seek a candidate with a strong work ethic, organization, motivation, teamwork, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Our Mechanical Engineering team synchronizes all mechanical, thermal, and packaging aspects for complex HEL weapon systems, developing rugged, compact solutions for challenging environments using analysis-driven design and athermalized, vibration-rugged solutions. We are hiring a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a team passionate about integrating HEL weapon systems.

Applicants must possess or qualify for a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference for those with an existing clearance. More info at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Review this before applying.

Responsibilities:

1. Lead design, analysis, and assembly of mechanical systems from concept to integration.
2. Oversee procurement and assembly of engineering builds, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
3. Mentor and lead team members, fostering growth and knowledge sharing.
4. Manage the mechanical engineering team, aligning with project goals and schedules.
5. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.

Required Experience / Capability:

• Attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Pride in workmanship and delivering high-quality results.
• At least 8+ years in complex mechanical system design and integration.
• At least 2+ years managing mechanical engineering teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements and develop rapid solutions.
• Proficiency with project management software such as GitLab, Jira, or similar.
• Experience with system-level trade studies and documenting engineering decisions.
• Strong leadership in design development based on stakeholder inputs.
• Experience breaking down large system designs and delegating tasks.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and hand calculations for verification.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with fabrication and assembly drawing preparation (ISO and ANSI standards).
• Expertise in design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA), with knowledge of manufacturing techniques.

Additional Desired Experience / Capability:

• Supervisory or management experience in engineering.
• Experience in rugged optical system design, including mounting methods.
• Familiarity with electro-optical systems and alignment/test methods.
• Experience in opto-mechanical assembly and inspection.
• Proficiency in thermal management systems and STOP analysis.
• Experience with vibration testing, analysis, and isolation, especially jitter analysis.
• Experience with FEA and modeling of vibration and thermal effects.
• Proficiency in CFD analysis.
• Familiarity with MATLAB and LabVIEW.
• Experience with Adaptive Optical Systems and High Energy Lasers.
• Exposure to MIL-STD-810 testing and design.
• Experience operating machining, welding, or fabrication equipment.

Benefits Summary: Health (ACA Gold Plan), Dental, and Vision paid 100% for employees and 75% for dependents. Company-paid Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability. Competitive 401k with immediate vesting. About 3 weeks PTO + 11 holidays.

Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or age. For accommodations, contact Human Resources at [emailprotected].