Mechanical Engineer

Northern Base; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Base is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and analyze aerospace environmental control systems, thermal loops, and related components. You will size valves, heat exchangers, and actuators while ensuring performance under harsh conditions.

The role requires hands-on testing, experience with DO-160 and MIL-STD-810, and collaboration with leaders across engineering disciplines to deliver robust solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar field is required.
• 2–5 years of experience in design, analysis and development of industrial equipment.
• Aerospace domain experience is required.
• Knowledge of applied thermodynamics and mechanical design is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on mechanical equipment design for aerospace environments.
• Develop test plans and support qualification testing to MIL-STD-810/DO-160.
• Interface with cross-functional teams to ensure robust thermal and structural performance.

Skills

ECS Subsystem Integration

Thermal System Design

Component Selection

Control Logic & Feedback

Education

Bachelor's degree (B.S.M.E)

Job description

Job Description

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills

Job Duties: Mechanical Engineer

Hardware & System Design Skills

• Environmental Control Systems (ECS): Designing aircraft air cycle, vapor cycle, bleed air, or cabin pressure architectures.
• Component Sizing & Selection: Calculating specifications for valves, regulators, heat exchangers, actuators, compressors, and fans.
• Fluid & Gas Dynamics: Modeling pneumatic flow rates, routing ducting networks, and analyzing system pressure drops.
• Electro-Mechanical Integration: Interfacing mechanical hardware with basic electrical circuits, wiring harnesses, and feedback sensors.

Analysis & Simulation Skills

• Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer: Performing manual thermal math or complex 3D heat-load calculations.
• Control Theory & Logic: Developing feedback control loops to actively regulate temperature, pressure, or airflow.
• Thermal Analysis Software: Utilizing specialized simulation tools like Thermal Desktop, Ansys Fluent, Flowmaster, or Simscape.
• CAD Modeling & Drafting: Generating production-ready 3D models and technical drawings using NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.

Testing & Compliance Skills

• Hardware Troubleshooting: Resolving mechanical failures during the physical assembly, functional testing, or component repair phases.
• Aerospace & Defense Standards: Aligning qualification test procedures with rigorous compliance benchmarks like MIL-STD-810 and DO-160.
• Test Plan Execution: Drafting test documentation, building test setups, and analyzing environmental test data.

Core Skill Set to Look For

• ECS Subsystem Integration: Hands-on experience with aircraft or spacecraft bleed air, cabin pressurization, oxygen generation, or severe-environment ducting and layout.
• Thermal System Design & Analysis: Experience sizing heat exchangers, vapor cycle systems, cooling loops, or air cycle machines using software like Thermal Desktop, ANSYS Fluent, Flow master, or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Component Selection & Validation: Proven track record calculating fluid flow, pressure drop, and thermal loads to select or design valves, regulators, fans, or compressors.
• Industry Standards & Testing: Direct familiarity with aerospace/defense testing compliance, specifically DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or ARP862 for environmental control equipment.
• Cross-Functional & Control Logic: A strong understanding of structural interfaces, sensor integration, and basic control theory (e.g., feedback loops) to regulate temperatures and pressures.
• Technical Presentation & Leadership: Experience acting as a secondary project owner, leading small groups of drafters/designers, and presenting design reviews (PDR/CDR) to internal teams or customers.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.M.E) from four-year College or University.
• Two to five years of experience with design, analysis and development of industrial equipment.
• Aerospace domain experience is a must.
• Knowledge of applied thermodynamics and mechanical design.
• Knowledge of drawing and drafting standards a plus.
• Capable of carrying out assignments concerned with mechanical equipment.
• Understanding of military specifications, environmental specifications, and test specifications desired.
• Hands-on test and hardware experience is required.
• Requires strong oral/written communication skills and must be capable of conducting effective oral presentations to customers.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Organizational skills with the capability of working towards tight deadlines
• Able to work with demanding customer