Mechanical Engineer

SkyBridge Tactical; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

DBA insurance

Job summary

SkyBridge Tactical is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, model, fabricate, and evaluate mechanical solutions for unmanned systems. You will adapt commercial platforms to support payloads, sensors, and mission tech, while delivering production-ready designs using CAD and 3D printing.

The role requires hands-on experience with Group 1/2 unmanned systems, clearance eligibility, and collaboration with software, technicians, and government stakeholders throughout development and testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Robotics, Aeronautical Engineering or related field.
• At least three years of hands-on professional experience in mechanical design for unmanned systems.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate mechanical systems for Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned systems.
• Develop solutions for launch, recovery, transport, operation, and sustainment of unmanned platforms.
• Create mounting brackets, housings, enclosures, and antenna mounts.
• Integrate payloads and mission systems for flight, C2, ISR.
• Create 3D models, fabrication drawings, prototypes, and production-ready designs using CAD.
• Model and analyze components with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, or equivalent.
• Evaluate materials for strength, weight, durability, and environmental resistance.
• Conduct weight, stress, vibration, and thermal analyses.
• Design for tight space/weight constraints and protect against RF interference and lightning hazards.
• Manufacture/modify parts using CNC, additive manufacturing, and conventional tooling.
• Assemble, test, troubleshoot, and refine prototypes; participate in field tests.
• Document designs, test results, deficiencies, and improvements; coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

CAD modeling

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Rhino

Unmanned systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Robotics, or Aeronautical Engineering

Tools

CNC manufacturing

3D printing

Job description

SkyBridge Tactical is a Prime Contractor for MSOFS and a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Tampa, FL, founded in 2008 to support our customers’ global security, operational and training needs, focusing on mission success in the most challenging environments. SBT current contracts address U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Department of State (DoS) demand for highly skilled professionals to solve problems in the interest of national security.

The Mechanical Engineer designs, models, fabricates, integrates, and evaluates mechanical solutions for unmanned systems. The position focuses on adapting commercial and developmental unmanned platforms to support specialized operational payloads, sensors, communications equipment, and mission technologies.

Job duties:

• Design and integrate mechanical systems, structures, and components for Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned systems.
• Develop technical solutions supporting the launch, recovery, transport, operation, and sustainment of unmanned platforms.
• Design custom mounting brackets, equipment housings, electronics enclosures, antenna mounts, and concealment solutions.
• Integrate payloads and mission systems supporting flight, command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
• Develop three-dimensional models, fabrication drawings, prototypes, and production-ready designs using CAD software.
• Use SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, or comparable CAD applications to model and analyze unmanned-system components and subsystems.
• Evaluate materials based on strength, weight, durability, thermal conductivity, environmental resistance, and manufacturability.
• Design structures that balance load-bearing capacity, vibration resistance, weight limitations, and environmental requirements.
• Conduct weight-distribution, stress, vibration, shock, and thermal-management analyses.
• Develop solutions for integrating sensitive payloads within limited space and weight constraints.
• Design and evaluate launch-and-recovery mechanisms considering stability, weight, terrain, and environmental conditions.
• Design antenna installations based on placement, signal strength, interference, grounding, and shielding requirements.
• Incorporate protection against radio-frequency interference, electromagnetic effects, and lightning-related hazards.
• Manufacture and modify components using CNC equipment, additive manufacturing, and conventional shop tools.
• Select and use appropriate 3D-printing technologies, including FDM, SLS, and SLA, and materials such as PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU.
• Assemble, test, troubleshoot, and refine prototypes through iterative design and operational evaluation.
• Participate in field tests, demonstrations, exercises, and operational assessments.
• Document designs, test results, deficiencies, corrective actions, and recommended improvements.
• Coordinate with software engineers, technicians, operators, and Government stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Robotics, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related engineering or science discipline.
• At least three years of hands-on professional experience.
• Recent experience with Group 1 or Group 2 unmanned systems is preferred; relevant Group 3 experience may be considered.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.

Position is contingent on award and expected to start on 28 September 2026 with 1 base year and 4 option periods with a 6 month extension.

Travel: CONUS and OCONUS travel may be required for testing, exercises, demonstrations, deployments, and fielding

Location: Primarily on-site at Dam Neck Annex, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Benefits Overview

SkyBridge Tactical LLC provides a comprehensive fringe benefits package designed to promote employee well-being, financial stability, and professional growth.
Employees receive Paid Time Off (PTO), federal holidays, and additional leave options, including bereavement, jury duty, and parental leave.
Position is contingent on award
SkyBridge also offers a range of medical insurance options, including plans with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and access to wellness resources, as well as global medical insurance options for OCONUS employees.
Additional benefits include Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, and coverage under Workers’ Compensation or Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance for eligible employees.
To support income protection and financial security, SkyBridge Tactical offers Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, with options for Dependent Coverage.
Employees are also eligible to participate in a 401(k) Retirement Plan.
SBT recognizes employee contributions through performance-based bonuses, recognition programs, and referral bonuses and supports career growth through professional development opportunities, including training and certification programs.
Family leave options further support employees in balancing professional and family responsibilities.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.