Mechanical Design Engineer

Tucker Parker Smith Group (TPS Group); Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Job summary

Tucker Parker Smith Group (TPS Group) in Carlsbad, CA seeks an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead design, development, integration, and qualification of complex mechanical/electro-mechanical systems in aerospace/defense. This hands-on role covers from concept through prototyping, testing, and qualification.

Responsibilities include CAD modeling, data packages, trade studies, and lab testing. Requires ownership of tasks, collaboration across teams, and active clearance (TS/SCI preferred).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, graduate degree with 4+ years, or 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance; a clearance active within the past two years may be considered.
• Favorable polygraph.
• Strong mechanical design and 3D CAD experience.
• Experience designing and developing complex mechanical hardware and assemblies.
• Experience with hardware prototyping, integration, testing, and qualification.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop precision mechanical and electro-mechanical components and assemblies.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed part and assembly drawings, and technical data packages.
• Support requirements definition, concept development, material selection, trade studies, and design optimization.
• Prototype, integrate, and test mechanical components and assemblies.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures for mechanical subsystems.
• Troubleshoot and evaluate mechanical hardware and system performance.
• Participate in PDRs, CDRs, peer reviews, and interdisciplinary design reviews.
• Support engineering changes and configuration-controlled product updates.
• Work hands-on with hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, technicians, operations, and customer representatives.
• Provide occasional support for field testing and demonstrations.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Prototype & test

PDR/CDR participation

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Graduate degree

10+ years experience (in lieu of degree)

Tools

Creo

Job description

Full-Time Employment / Location: Carlsbad, CA / Salary: $102,000–$189,000 annually

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, integration, and qualification of complex mechanical and electro-mechanical systems within the aerospace and defense industry. This is a hands-on engineering opportunity for someone who enjoys taking ownership of hardware from initial concept and design through prototyping, integration, testing, and final qualification.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop precision mechanical and electro-mechanical components and assemblies.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed part and assembly drawings, and technical data packages.
• Support requirements definition, concept development, material selection, trade studies, and design optimization.
• Prototype, integrate, and test mechanical components and assemblies.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures for mechanical subsystems.
• Troubleshoot and evaluate mechanical hardware and system performance.
• Participate in PDRs, CDRs, peer reviews, and interdisciplinary design reviews.
• Support engineering changes and configuration-controlled product updates.
• Work hands-on with hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, technicians, operations, and customer representatives.
• Provide occasional support for field testing and demonstrations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, graduate degree with 4+ years of relevant experience, or 10+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active Top Secret or TS/SCI security clearance; a clearance active within the past two years may be considered.
• Favorable polygraph.
• Strong mechanical design and 3D CAD experience.
• Experience designing and developing complex mechanical hardware and assemblies.
• Experience with hardware prototyping, integration, testing, and qualification.
• Ability to independently own technical assignments and work with limited supervision.
• Must meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements associated with access to classified information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with precision mechanisms, mechatronics, and/or electro-mechanical systems.
• Proficiency with Creo or similar 3D CAD tools.
• Knowledge of GD&T and ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Experience packaging electronics with structural and thermal considerations.
• Experience with actuators, custom gear trains, electro-optical systems, materials testing, or manufacturing processes.
• Experience with additive manufacturing, part optimization, and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).
• Employment: Full-Time
• Schedule: 9/80 schedule – every other Friday off
• Salary: $102,000–$189,000 annually, based on experience and location
• Benefits: Medical and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, company-paid holidays, and additional benefits