Mechanical Engineer - Senior or Staff Level

Astronics AES; Kirkland (WA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Generous PTO

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Astronics AES in Kirkland, WA is seeking a Senior or Staff Level Mechanical Engineer to join the Cabin Electronics Product Support Team. Hybrid work with on-site presence, supporting products through lifecycle and driving improvements for aircraft cabin systems.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, cross-functional collaboration, and contributing to design changes, testing, and root-cause investigations for durable, producible solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years as Senior Mechanical Engineer or 8+ years as Staff Mechanical Engineer.
• Experience with design for manufacturability and product support.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and 3D CAD software.

Responsibilities

• Product support across Cabin Electronics products lifecycle, including design changes and testing.
• Create and review design changes; develop fixtures and tooling for production.
• Generate detailed design documentation for enclosures and assemblies using 3D CAD.
• Lead root-cause investigations for field issues and cost reductions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and PM.

Skills

Design for manufacturability

SolidWorks

3D CAD

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM systems

MS Office

3D CAD

Job description

Senior or Staff Level Mechanical Engineer

Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) is seeking a Senior or Staff Level Mechanical Engineer to join our Cabin Electronics Product Support Team in Kirkland, WA.

** Please, no agency solicitations/submittals. Only direct applicants will be considered **

** Candidates local to the greater Seattle/Kirkland, WA area are highly desired. Relocation support is not available for this position. **

This is a hybrid/on-site position offering the flexibility to work from home up to two days per week, depending on project needs.

Astronics' Cabin Electronics Product Group is the world's leading manufacturer of in-seat power systems for the commercial airline industry. Our EmPower® product line delivers scalable power solutions for aircraft passenger cabins and flight decks, and is trusted by over 280 airlines, IFE suppliers, and every major aircraft OEM worldwide.

Job Summary

We're looking for a mechanical engineer who thrives on solving real-world problems for products already in the field. In this role, you'll support Astronics AES's Cabin Electronics products throughout their lifecycle—evaluating design changes, testing product performance, and driving root cause investigations that lead to lasting improvements. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams across Engineering, Operations, and Quality, building a deep understanding of how design decisions ripple downstream into product quality, manufacturability, and cost. This is a great opportunity for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on problem‑solving and wants to see the tangible impact of their work on products flying on commercial aircraft around the world.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Product Support – Create and review design changes to ensure products continue to meet requirements and remain producible. Develop or modify assembly fixtures and other tooling to support production and test operations. Research and update engineering documentation and specifications as needed.
• Design Documentation & Configuration Management – Partner with the Drafting Department to submit drawing changes that reflect design intent and meet AES standards. Use the lifecycle/configuration management system to prepare, submit, and explain product updates, and review or approve changes submitted by teammates.
• Design – Support evaluation of new and existing designs to identify improvements. Generate detailed design documentation for electronic circuit board enclosures and assemblies using 3D CAD software and 3D printing. Represent the product support perspective—and share lessons learned—during new product design and introduction reviews.
• Testing & Investigation – Support environmental testing (temperature, vibration, and others) to gather engineering data on product changes. Participate in root cause and corrective action efforts to resolve complex problems, including field failures, producibility challenges, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Continuous Improvement – Bring a continuous improvement mindset to the role by identifying opportunities and actively participating in process improvement initiatives.
• Team Contribution – Build and maintain strong, cooperative working relationships with internal teams, including Electrical and Systems Engineering, Technicians, Operations, Quality, and Program Management. Promote a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Engineering Tools Proficiency – Solid modeling design experience required; SolidWorks strongly preferred. Familiarity with PLM/configuration management systems is a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution required.

Experience

• Senior Mechanical Engineer: Typically 5+ years of direct experience in the duties, responsibilities, and skills associated with this role.
• Staff Mechanical Engineer: Typically 8+ years of direct experience in the duties, responsibilities, and skills associated with this role.

Employment Eligibility Requirements

• This position may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws. Employment is contingent upon the employee's authorization to access such items under applicable law. The company does not guarantee, and is under no obligation to seek, such authorization.
• An offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment background check and drug test, which includes screening for cannabis use.

Compensation

• Sr. Mechanical Engineer: $94,208 – $141,313 per year (midpoint: $117,760)
• Staff Mechanical Engineer: $111,929 – $167,893 per year (midpoint: $139,911)
• Eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonus.

Actual salary offered depends on factors such as experience in comparable roles, skill set, training, education, certifications, other qualifications, market conditions, and business needs. It is uncommon for candidates to be hired at or near the top of the range.

• Health & Well-Being: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus optional critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage.
• Financial Security: 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Work–Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions, Employee Assistance Program, and a culture that supports balance.
• Generous PTO: Starting at 120 hours annually, plus 12 paid holidays per year.

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world's aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, military branches, completion centers, and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.

We offer our breadth of technology solutions and services through 11 subsidiary business units and numerous award-winning product brands. Serving our customers is our first priority, and every day we honor this mission with quality, partnership, and energetic global vision.

For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit www.Astronics.com.

Astronics is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.