Product Development Engineer II

Primary Arms LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Primary Arms Optics in Houston, TX, is seeking a Full Time Mechanical Engineer (Ind Contributor) to design and develop new optics products using SolidWorks, collaborating with senior engineers to deliver reliable solutions.

You will own GD&T, tolerance analysis, and fixture design to optimize manufacturing and inspection, while building workflows for engineering, QA, and assembly. Travel up to 15% is possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of experience in the firearms and/or optics industry.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for modeling and drafting.

Responsibilities

• Design new products in SolidWorks and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
• Improve existing products through redesign, evaluation, and manufacturing optimization.
• Create precise engineering drawings meeting ANSI standards, apply GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Design fixturing and tooling to speed assembly and inspection.
• Own documentation and processes for engineering, quality control, and assembly.
• Lead root‑cause analysis on product issues with vendors and internal teams.
• Build and validate prototypes with prototype shops to keep development moving.
• Collaborate in 3D modeling to integrate mechanical and optical components.
• Manage inspection equipment, calibration, and organization of tools and prototypes.
• Provide technical support across manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, and suppliers.

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Manufacturing processes

Dimensional inspection

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Shape the Future of Precision Optics

Full Time Ind Contributor Houston, TX, US

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop new products in SolidWorks, collaborating closely with senior engineers and cross‑functional teams to deliver innovative, reliable optics solutions.
• Improve existing products through thoughtful redesign, performance evaluation, and manufacturing optimization.
• Create precise engineering drawings that meet ANSI standards and apply GD&T and tolerance stack analysis to ensure fit, function, and manufacturability.
• Design fixturing and tooling that make assembly and inspection faster, more accurate, and more consistent.
• Own documentation and processes for engineering, quality control, and assembly—building efficient workflows that scale.
• Lead root‑cause analysis on product issues and drive clear, practical solutions with vendors and internal teams.
• Build and validate prototypes, working directly with prototype shops to keep development moving quickly
• Collaborate in 3D modeling to ensure seamless integration of mechanical and optical components.
• Manage inspection equipment, calibration, and organization of tools, samples, and prototypes so the team can move fast without friction.
• Provide technical support across manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, and suppliers—becoming a trusted resource for the broader organization.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve current products and processes.

You’ll have the chance to see your work go from screen to range, and you’ll play a meaningful role in products that real shooters use.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5 years of experience in the firearms and/or optics industry
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for modeling and drafting
• Solid working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack analysis
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (milling, turning, molding, casting, etc.) and material science/coatings
• Experience with dimensional and optical inspection equipment
• Demonstrated ability to take projects from concept through completion with minimal supervision

Preferred / Strongly Valued

• Genuine passion for firearms and optics
• Proven track record of solving complex design and manufacturing challenges creatively
• Excellent communication skills—able to clearly explain technical changes and collaborate effectively with suppliers and internal teams
• Strong organizational habits and attention to detail
• Self‑motivated, ownership‑driven mindset with a “we” and “can‑do” attitude
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%

Why Join Primary Arms Optics?

You’ll join a team that values practical engineering, continuous improvement, and real‑world performance. We give engineers the opportunity to make a tangible impact, work on products people care about, and grow their skills in a collaborative, high‑ownership environment.

If you’re ready to design products that matter and grow with a team that takes pride in what it builds, we’d love to hear from you.