Principal Mechanical Engineer

ACTalent; Nashua (NH); On-site; USD 91,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Paid time off

Job summary

ACTalent is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Nashua, NH, to provide technical leadership across design, development, analysis, and integration of advanced electronic warfare systems. You’ll lead a team, drive robust mechanical hardware solutions, and mentor engineers through the full product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has strong experience in structural and thermal analysis of complex hardware, GD&T, and familiarity with military electronics.

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical design, product development, and engineering analysis.
• Strong experience in structural and thermal analysis of complex hardware.
• Experience with integrated military electronic hardware and test equipment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience guiding technical teams and mentoring engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of mechanical engineers in the design, development, and integration of complex countermeasure and electromagnetic attack solutions.
• Develop robust mechanical hardware solutions that meet demanding customer, program, and environmental requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineers, helping develop future technical leaders within the organization.
• Perform and review detailed mechanical designs and engineering analyses, including structural, thermal, and environmental assessments.
• Create and evaluate 3D solid models, engineering drawings, and product definitions.
• Apply GD&T principles and perform tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure proper fit, form, and function.
• Assess hardware designs for manufacturability, reliability, and environmental compliance.
• Support prototype development, hardware integration, testing, and verification activities.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support technical design reviews and provide engineering recommendations to program leadership.

Skills

Mechanical design

Structural analysis

Thermal analysis

Military hardware experience

Leadership experience

Mentorship

Documentation

GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D CAD tools

Finite Element Analysis

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer Job Description We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, analysis, and integration of advanced electronic warfare, countermeasure, and electromagnetic attack systems. This role combines hands-on engineering with team leadership and mentorship, supporting the full product lifecycle from concept development through qualification and production. The ideal candidate is a proven mechanical engineering leader with deep experience in hardware design, structural and thermal analysis, and military electronic systems integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of mechanical engineers in the design, development, and integration of complex countermeasure and electromagnetic attack solutions.
• Develop robust mechanical hardware solutions that meet demanding customer, program, and environmental requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineers, helping develop future technical leaders within the organization.
• Perform and review detailed mechanical designs and engineering analyses, including structural, thermal, and environmental assessments.
• Create and evaluate 3D solid models, engineering drawings, and product definitions.
• Apply GD&T principles and perform tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure proper fit, form, and function.
• Assess hardware designs for manufacturability, reliability, and environmental compliance.
• Support prototype development, hardware integration, testing, and verification activities.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support technical design reviews and provide engineering recommendations to program leadership.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Significant experience in mechanical design, product development, and engineering analysis.
• Strong experience in structural and thermal analysis of complex hardware systems.
• Experience working with integrated military electronic hardware and associated test equipment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience guiding technical teams and mentoring engineers.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling and mechanical product definition tools.
• Strong understanding and application of GD&T and tolerance analysis methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within small multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to execute complex technical projects from concept through validation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting electronic warfare, countermeasure, RF, or electromagnetic attack systems.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing and military hardware requirements.
• Familiarity with prototype development, hardware integration, and verification testing.
• Experience leading design reviews and cross-functional engineering efforts.
• Experience in defense or aerospace product development.

Work Environment The work environment includes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, utilizing advanced technologies and equipment. The role requires flexibility in working hours to support various stages of product development. Expect a professional setting where innovation and technical excellence are highly valued.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Nashua, NH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $66.00 - $89.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.