Principal Mechanical Engineer

Trident; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Trident Systems SES division seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to design and analyze spacecraft electronics assemblies. You will drive mechanical integrity from concept through flight qualification while collaborating with program managers and project engineers.

The role requires expert depth in mechanical engineering, with extensive experience in space hardware, CAD, FEA, and GD&T. Domestic travel may be required as projects demand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 9+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years with a Master’s degree.
• Experience with aerospace and/or space hardware development.
• Experience with PDM systems and configuration management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of spacecraft electronics assemblies using CAD tools.
• Draft high quality mechanical drawings with GD&T for fabrication.
• Perform structural and thermal analysis using Ansys Workbench.
• Familiar with space environmental testing (vibration, TVAC, shock) for flight readiness.
• Manage project schedules and technical risk, coordinating with cross-disciplinary engineers.
• Mentor teammates and conduct detailed reviews of mechanical work.
• Support travel or off-site work as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

CAD design

GD&T

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng

M.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

Ansys Workbench

PDM systems

Job description

Position Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Requisition ID: 1833

Position Location: Sterling, VA

Position Reports To: Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

We are seeking a talented, self-motivated, and experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer with demonstrated success in developing and delivering new and/or improved products that meet requirements on time and within budget. The Principle Mechanical Engineer works collaboratively with program managers and project engineers to ensure successful program execution and is responsible for applying expert mechanical knowledge in designing and analyzing electro-mechanical assemblies. This position requires expert technical capability and communication skills, and effective forward thinking to take advantage of opportunities and prevent issues. To be successful in this role, the individual should possess expert technical depth to perform deep-dive analysis, as well as technical breadth to work through complex issues across disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware). This individual can work autonomously with only high-level objectives to be effective, is able to work on problems of diverse complexity and scope and demonstrates expert engineering judgement.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Design & Modeling: Lead the mechanical design of spacecraft electronics assemblies using high-fidelity CAD tools like SolidWorks or similar.
• Draft high quality mechanical drawings for the fabrication of designed parts incorporating the necessary GD&T.
• FEA Analysis: Perform and review detailed structural and thermal analysis to validate design integrity under flight loads and temperatures using Ansys Workbench or similar.
• Testing & Qualification: Familiarity with space environmental testing, including vibration, thermal-vacuum (TVAC), and shock testing, to ensure flight readiness.
• Project Oversight: Manage project schedules and technical risk, while coordinating with electrical, software, and systems engineers to integrate multidisciplinary subsystems.
• Teamwork: Mentor teammates, collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Perform detailed reviews of mechanical team products.
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
• 9+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years with a Master’s degree
• Experience with aerospace and/or space hardware development
• Experience with PDM systems and configuration management

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of space electronics packaging and cooling (VPX standards) and designing for space environments
• Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $107,000 - $198,000

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic life with AD&D
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
• Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)