The Mechanical Development Engineer is responsible for leading mechanical development projects from concept through design, development, testing, qualification, and production release. This role serves as a key technical point of contact throughout the development process and works closely with engineers across the organization to ensure products meet technical, performance, quality, and schedule requirements.
The Development Engineer will collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, quality, test, and other engineering disciplines to drive projects to successful completion. While the role will not own project budgets, it will be responsible for technical execution, coordination, and project deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
- Own mechanical development projects from initial concept through design, development, testing, qualification, and production release.
- Develop and maintain project plans, technical requirements, milestones, and deliverables.
- Coordinate activities across multiple engineering disciplines throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Work closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, quality, and test engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and maintain project progress.
- Lead design reviews, technical discussions, development activities, and project status meetings.
- Support development of mechanical designs, prototypes, test articles, and engineering solutions as required.
- Coordinate and support engineering testing, validation, qualification, and verification activities.
- Identify technical risks, issues, and dependencies and drive appropriate resolution.
- Ensure engineering documentation, drawings, specifications, test results, and other technical deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
- Work with manufacturing and quality teams to support transition from development into production.
- Communicate project status, technical risks, and key decisions to engineering leadership and other stakeholders.
- Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions for development and production-related issues.
- Ensure development activities comply with applicable aerospace and defense requirements, customer requirements, and internal engineering processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering and product development processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- Experience in mechanical design, product development, or engineering development.
- Experience taking engineering projects from concept through completion.
- Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, design practices, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to effectively coordinate and communicate with multiple engineering disciplines.
- Experience with engineering documentation, design reviews, testing, and qualification activities.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, schedules, and technical deliverables.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated engineering environment is preferred.
Preferred Experience
- Experience with aerospace and/or defense products.
- Experience working within structured product development or stage-gate processes.
- Experience with requirements management, verification and validation, and qualification testing.
- Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mechanical drawing standards.
- Experience working with manufacturing and quality teams during product introduction.
- Experience leading cross-functional technical teams or development projects.
Core Competencies
- Project ownership and execution
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Mechanical engineering and product development