Mechanical Engineer, Associate

Allen Control Systems; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ACS Equity Package

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Allen Control Systems in Mountain View, CA, seeks an Associate Mechanical Engineer to design and integrate mechanical systems for an autonomous counter-drone platform. This early-career role suits a recent graduate or engineer with up to 2 years experience who wants hands-on work on real hardware used in harsh environments.

You will collaborate with electrical and systems engineers, perform FEA and thermal analyses, and develop drawings, simulations, and test protocols to validate hardware

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and FEA tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo; ANSYS or SolidWorks Simulation).
• Foundational MIL-STD-810 requirements for mechanical durability.
• Interest in electromechanical integration (sensors, actuators, wiring harnesses).
• Desire to design robust mechanical systems for harsh environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems under MIL-STD-810 specs, including vibration, shock, thermal, and environmental conditions.
• Run mechanical simulations (FEA, modal, vibration, thermal) to assess durability.
• Collaborate with electrical and systems engineers to integrate electromechanical components.
• Support prototype development, testing, and documentation of design specs, drawings, reports, and test protocols.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews and apply DFM/DFR principles.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Mechanical design

FEA analysis

MIL-STD-810 familiarity

Electromechanical integration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Creo

ANSYS

Job description

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.

About The Role

We are looking for an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join the ACS team and contribute to the design and development of our autonomous counter-drone platform. This is an early-career role well suited for a recent graduate or engineer with up to 2 years of experience who has a strong foundation in mechanical design, simulation, and electromechanical integration. You will work alongside senior engineers on real hardware that operates in demanding environments, learning fast and contributing from day one.

What You’ll Do

• Support design and development of mechanical systems under MIL-STD-810 specifications, including robustness under vibration, shock, thermal, and environmental conditions.

• Run mechanical simulations including FEA, modal, vibration, and thermal analysis to assess durability and reliability of designs under operational stress.

• Collaborate with electrical and systems engineers to integrate electromechanical components including wiring harnesses, sensors, and actuators into mechanical structures.

• Support prototype development, testing, and validation; help develop and document mechanical design specifications, drawings, simulation reports, and test protocols.

• Participate in cross-functional design reviews, applying DFM and DFR principles and helping identify mechanical and electromechanical risks early in the development cycle.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks (preferred), CATIA, or Creo; coursework or hands-on experience with FEA, modal, and thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS or SolidWorks Simulation.

• Foundational understanding of MIL-STD-810 requirements for mechanical durability including vibration, shock, temperature, and humidity testing.

• Interest in electromechanical integration and an eagerness to learn how mechanical structures interact with electrical systems such as sensors, actuators, and wiring harnesses.

• A passion for designing robust mechanical systems for harsh environments and a strong desire to work on hardware that has real-world defense impact.

You’ll Stand Out

• Any direct exposure to MIL-STD-810 testing such as vibration, temperature, or shock, including through coursework, internships, or research projects.

• Familiarity with EMC considerations in mechanical design, or awareness of MIL-STD-461 and MIL-S-901D standards.

• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing through personal projects, capstone work, or internships.

• Background or interest in fluid dynamics, heat transfer, or shock absorption systems.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.