Mechanical Engineer

The Ascendancy Group; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ascendancy Group in Virginia Beach is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join their innovative team. This position involves designing, developing, and improving mechanical systems, especially in unmanned systems (UxS). A Secret clearance that is TS/SCI eligible is required, along with a B.S. in Mechanical or relevant engineering field.

Candidates must have hands-on experience in CAD, 3D printing, and must be comfortable working in a shop environment. If you're eager to contribute to engineering solutions and grow your career, apply now.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on professional experience.
• Understanding material properties and their impact on performance.
• Experience designing launch and recovery mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and improvement of mechanical systems.
• Select materials and design structures meeting various requirements.
• Analyze complex design problems for optimal performance.

Skills

Secret Clearance - TS/SCI Eligible

CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino)

Unmanned Systems (UxS)

3D printing technologies

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Robotics/Aeronautical Engineering or applicable field

Tools

CNC machine

Job description

The Ascendancy Group is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer with a Secret clearance that is TS/SCI eligible to join our innovative team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design, development, and improvement of mechanical systems and products in a dynamic and collaborative environment. If you are passionate about engineering solutions and eager to grow your career, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

Position Requirements

• Secret Clearance - TS/SCI Eligible
• B.S. in Mechanical/Robotics/Aeronautical Engineering; or applicable engineering or science field.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on professional experience.
• Extensive knowledge of aviation principles and unmanned systems (UxS). - 3 years. Extensive knowledge in electric propulsion and combustible power systems - 3 years.
• Understanding of material properties (strength, weight, durability, thermal conductivity) and their impact on Unmanned Systems (UxS) performance.
• Proven ability to select appropriate materials and design structures that meet competing requirements for load-bearing capacity, vibration resistance, and environmental robustness.
• Experience designing and developing launch and recovery mechanisms for manned or unmanned systems, considering factors like weight, stability, and environmental conditions.
• Expertise in using computer aided design (CAD) software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino) to model, analyze, and create technical solutions for UxS components and subsystems.
• Hands‑on experience designing and fabricating enclosure solutions, mechanical and electrical housings, and custom mounting brackets for UxS components.
• Engineer must be comfortable working in a shop environment with loud noises and industrial power tools. May be required to lift 50 lbs.
• Hands‑on experience manufacturing with a CNC machine.
• Proven ability to incorporate analytical considerations (or thermal management, shock absorption, stress, and vibration mitigation into designs.
• Proven ability to analyze complex UxS design problems, such as optimizing weight distribution for improved performance or developing innovative solutions for integrating sensitive payloads within tight space constraints.
• Experience in designing and installing antenna systems for UxS, considering optimal placement, signal strength, and interference mitigation.
• Understanding of electromagnetic principles and the potential impact of lightning strikes and RF interference on UxS electronics. Ability to implement design strategies (e.g., grounding techniques, shielding) to protect sensitive components and ensure safe operation.
• Hands on experience using various 3d printing technologies, such as FDM, SLS, SLA and strong understanding in selecting materiel e.g., PLA, PETG/ABS, and TPU.