Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

WIL Williams Controls Industries Inc; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright seeks a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical systems and packaging from concept to deployment, serving as a technical expert and project lead for manufacturable, high-performance solutions.

You will mentor engineers, support design reviews, and collaborate cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement across engineering functions, including hands-on validation and close work with manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 6-10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design engineering
• Demonstrated success designing and analyzing mechanical systems, machinery, and packaging
• Deep expertise in mechanical engineering principles, structural analysis, thermal management, and CAD tools
• Strong understanding of materials, GD&T, design requirements, and production tooling
• Proven ability to apply engineering judgment and implement practical, real-world solutions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to diverse audiences
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and production teams
• Commitment to mentoring, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and analyze complex mechanical systems, equipment, and packaging solutions using modeling, simulation, feasibility studies, and detailed engineering judgment to meet structural, thermal, and manufacturability requirements (30%).
• Direct and collaborate with drafting, prototyping, and support teams to create detailed mechanical drawings, packaging documentation, and functional prototypes that support iterative design and early validation (20%).
• Perform hands-on testing, experimental design, and data analysis to validate concepts, troubleshoot discrepancies, and refine designs to ensure reliability and performance (20%).
• Provide mechanical design support to manufacturing by developing equipment, tooling, and production solutions, assisting with installation and debugging, and establishing safety, maintenance, and service standards (20%).
• Mentor engineers, support design reviews and technical documentation, contribute to proposals, and collaborate cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement across engineering functions (10%).

Skills

Mechanical design

CAD tools

Engineering judgment

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer leads the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical systems, equipment, and packaging from concept through deployment, serving as a technical expert and project lead to deliver manufacturable, high-performance solutions while supporting cross-functional development, hands-on validation, and mentorship across the engineering organization.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and analyze complex mechanical systems, equipment, and packaging solutions using modeling, simulation, feasibility studies, and detailed engineering judgment to meet structural, thermal, and manufacturability requirements (30%).
• Direct and collaborate with drafting, prototyping, and support teams to create detailed mechanical drawings, packaging documentation, and functional prototypes that support iterative design and early validation (20%).
• Perform hands-on testing, experimental design, and data analysis to validate concepts, troubleshoot discrepancies, and refine designs to ensure reliability and performance (20%).
• Provide mechanical design support to manufacturing by developing equipment, tooling, and production solutions, assisting with installation and debugging, and establishing safety, maintenance, and service standards (20%).
• Mentor engineers, support design reviews and technical documentation, contribute to proposals, and collaborate cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement across engineering functions (10%).

Representative Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 6-10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design engineering
• Demonstrated success designing and analyzing mechanical systems, machinery, and packaging
• Deep expertise in mechanical engineering principles, structural analysis, thermal management, and CAD tools
• Strong understanding of materials, GD&T, design requirements, and production tooling
• Proven ability to apply engineering judgment and implement practical, real-world solutions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to diverse audiences
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and production teams
• Commitment to mentoring, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.

If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

Join the WRIGHT Team! Over 95 years of growth, Curtiss-Wright is an integrated, market-facing global diversified industrial company and remains a technology leader through this legacy of innovation. Through three well-balanced segments - Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics and Naval & Power, we remain focused on advanced technologies for high performance platforms and critical applications. Diversity, commitment to excellence and dedication to the spirit of pioneering innovation continue to drive the employees of Curtiss-Wright.

Our Values

What makes a world-class organization? It all begins with core values that provide a strong foundation for success. Simple in theory, the values of Curtiss-Wright are reflected in every aspect of our operations. To our employees, these are more than words on a wall – we all take these values to heart in our relationships with our customers and each other.

Leadership

We lead based on vision and strategic direction, empowering employees to reach goals through thoughtful and decisive action.

Customer Focus

We are committed to achieving total quality by meeting our customers' expectations and delivering products and services in a timely fashion.

Teamwork & Trust

Working in a spirit of trust and collaboration, we actively encourage employees to contribute their ideas and innovations to keep our company moving forward.

Respect for People

We believe that people are our most valuable asset and will always do the right thing in our dealings and interactions with all employees.

Integrity

We will act with the highest integrity in all of our business relationships and strategic partnerships.

What We Offer Our Employees

• Opportunity: As part of the Curtiss-Wright team, you have the opportunity each day to transform the way customers do business, as well as transform your career. Our entrepreneurial environment provides you with excellent experiences that enable you to develop your skills through stretch assignments and the opportunity to work with the best talent in the industry. You will have the opportunity to contribute from day one!
• Challenging Work: The work we do here is not only challenging, but it is meaningful to our customers, our employees and the communities in which they live and work. You are given the chance to work on some of the most advanced technology projects in the world. Now that something to be proud of!
• Collaborative Environment: The teamwork among our exceptionally talented people enables us to deliver some of the most advanced solutions to our customers.