Mechanical Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. in Alabama is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own full lifecycle mechanism design, including conceptualization, 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks), and hardware validation for devices with moving parts.

You will develop design requirements with customers, prepare technical drawings, oversee fabrication, perform tolerancing and structural analyses, and communicate results through reports and presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME)
• 5–10 years' mechanical engineering design experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Proficiency with CAD/3D modeling software, preferably SolidWorks
• Experience developing production-ready drawings, specifications, test procedures, and design documentation
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with configuration management and engineering change control
• Experience with kinematic design, mechanism assembly, and high-precision devices
• Experience with mechanical design, analysis, testing, and validation

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical devices and sub-assemblies with levers, gears, springs, and bearings
• Use SolidWorks to create high-precision components and manage complex assemblies
• Perform tolerance stack-up analyses and structural simulations
• Monitor cost and schedule of design programs
• Interact with fabrication shops to communicate machining details
• Engage in assembly and checkout to verify device functionality
• Write technical reports and present results to customers
• Travel as needed to support programs; on-site work is required
• Improve test apparatus and develop new analysis methods

Skills

CAD/3D modeling

SolidWorks

Security clearance

Engineering drawings

Cross-functional collaboration

Configuration management

Kinematic design

Mechanical design/validation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME)

MSME - preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

GD&T knowledge

Job description

This position is for a Mechanical Engineer responsible for executing the mechanical design of devices incorporating complex moving components such as levers, gears, springs, and bearings. The engineer is responsible for full-lifecycle mechanism design, including conceptualization, 3D CAD modeling, and hardware validation. The engineer is also responsible for preparing project proposals, creating mechanical drawings, interacting with fabricators, and completing those projects on-schedule and on-budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Use engineering principles and judgment to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternatives.
• Communicate with customers to understand their technical needs and develop design requirements.

Position Specific

• Design mechanical devices, kinematic linkages, and sub-assemblies using levers, gears, springs, and bearings.
• Utilize 3D CAD modeling software, preferably SolidWorks, to design high-precision components and manage complex assemblies.
• Perform engineering calculations, tolerance stack-up analyses, and structural simulations to ensure mechanism reliability.
• Monitor cost and schedule of design programs to keep projects on schedule and on budget.
• Interact with fabrication shops to communicate fabrication and machining details.
• Engage in the assembly and check-out process to verify mechanical evaluation and validation details of devices.
• Evaluate test data from labs to correctly evaluate device function.
• Write technical reports to communicate design revisions, validation results, and conclusions to customers.
• Give oral presentations to customers to communicate program results and propose future design iterations.
• Critically evaluate work methods to improve design quality and engineering workflow efficiency.
• Improve existing mechanical test apparatus to add needed testing capabilities for device validation.
• Develop new test apparatus to add needed testing capabilities for complex mechanism kinematics.
• Develop new analysis methods to effectively predict and understand structural and kinematic test responses.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with co-workers to perform work.
• Performs other duties as required by supervisor.
• This position requires the ability and willingness to travel in support of program needs.
• This role also requires consistent onsite team engagement. Remote work is not acceptable for this position.

Experience and Skills

Required Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (BSME).
• Five to ten years' experience in mechanical engineering design.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• Proficiency with CAD and 3D modeling software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Experience developing production-ready engineering drawings, technical specifications, test procedures, and design documentation.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, software, manufacturing, quality, and systems engineering.
• Familiarity with configuration management, design reviews, and engineering change control.
• Experience with kinematic design, mechanism assembly, moving parts, or high-precision devices.
• Experience with mechanical design, analysis, testing, and validation of functional components.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering (MSME).
• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) or other engineering simulation tools for stress and life cycle evaluation.
• Knowledge of materials selection (particularly for moving parts, wear resistance, and lubrication), manufacturing processes, tolerances, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles and the product development lifecycle.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and corrective action implementation.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and industry standards

Work Environment & Conditions

This position involves work in an office and laboratory environment and could require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including:

• Safety glasses
• Hearing protection (varied based on tasks)
• Shoe covers

Physical Demands

In performing the work for this position, the engineer must be able to:

• Perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.
• Sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Climb ladders and stairs while performing the work.
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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