Mechanical Engineer

Samson Rose; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Samson Rose in the Los Angeles metropolitan area seeks a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and manufacture critical components for a high-power RF system, spanning mechanical design, sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, electromechanical systems, robotics, and rapid prototyping.

You will own development from concept through manufacturing, working with power electronics and RF equipment in a lab, delivering robust mechanical hardware for demanding environments with a focus on

Qualifications

• 5–12 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Deep experience designing mechanical components involving sheet metal and CNC machining.
• Strong experience with electromechanical systems and robotics.
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, hardware development, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with urgency and ownership.
• Ability to work 100% onsite in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.
• Genuine interest in developing tech to counter drone threats and protect infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Design and manufacture critical mechanical components for a high-power RF system operating at approximately 100 kW.
• Develop a high-speed electromechanical robotic gimbal capable of sustained operation in harsh environments.
• Design and develop mechanical hardware and deployable structures for advanced directed energy applications.
• Drive rapid prototyping, hardware testing, and iterative design improvements.
• Apply design for manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure components can be manufactured efficiently and reliably.
• Work hands-on with power electronics, RF equipment, and mechanical hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Take ownership of mechanical design and manufacturing challenges from initial concepts through physical implementation.
• Apply first-principles thinking to solve complex engineering problems while maintaining a bias toward action.

Skills

Mechanical design

Sheet metal

CNC machining

Electromechanical systems

Robotics

Rapid prototyping

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

**Location:** Los Angeles Metropolitan Area | 100% Onsite

About the Company

Our client is a defense technology company developing next-generation directed energy systems designed to counter unmanned aerial threats and protect critical infrastructure. The company brings together experienced engineers across aerospace, defense, advanced electronics, and government to develop scalable, high-power systems.

The team is focused on solving complex engineering challenges involving high-power RF technology, electromechanical systems, and deployable hardware designed for demanding real-world environments.

The Role

Our client is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and manufacture critical mechanical components for a high-power radio frequency (RF) system.

This role spans **mechanical design, sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, electromechanical systems, robotics, and rapid prototyping**. You will own the development and manufacturing of core components handling approximately 100 kW of power, as well as a high-speed robotic gimbal designed to operate reliably in harsh environments over extended periods.

The position combines hands-on mechanical engineering with hardware development and manufacturing. You will work directly with physical prototypes, power electronics, and RF equipment in a laboratory environment, taking designs from concept through manufacturing. Key priorities include developing robust mechanical components, optimizing designs for manufacturability, and delivering reliable electromechanical systems in a fast-paced engineering environment.

What You'll Own

• Design and manufacture critical mechanical components for a high-power RF system operating at approximately 100 kW.
• Develop a high-speed electromechanical robotic gimbal capable of sustained operation in harsh environments.
• Design and develop mechanical hardware and deployable structures for advanced directed energy applications.
• Drive rapid prototyping, hardware testing, and iterative design improvements.
• Apply design for manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure components can be manufactured efficiently and reliably.
• Work hands-on with power electronics, RF equipment, and mechanical hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Take ownership of mechanical design and manufacturing challenges from initial concepts through physical implementation.
• Apply first-principles thinking to solve complex engineering problems while maintaining a strong bias toward action.

What You'll Need

• 5--12 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Deep experience designing mechanical components involving sheet metal and CNC machining.
• Strong experience with electromechanical systems and robotics.
• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, hardware development, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires urgency, initiative, and individual ownership.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to approach complex engineering challenges from first principles.
• Ability to work 100% onsite in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.
• Genuine interest in developing technology to counter drone threats and protect critical infrastructure.

Nice to Have

• Experience designing or developing RF components.
• Hydraulics experience.
• Background in aerospace, defense, advanced hardware, or other technically demanding engineering environments.
• Experience with heavy-duty equipment used in mining, construction, agriculture, or related industries.
• Experience developing complex electromechanical systems designed for demanding operating environments.
• Experience taking mechanical designs through rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and design refinement in a startup or high-growth engineering environment.