Senior Mechanical Engineer

OKSI; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 321,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the defense sector seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to drive design and integration across multiple projects involving cutting-edge technologies like UAS and avionics. This role combines hands-on responsibilities with mentorship of junior engineers, supporting national security missions and technological innovation.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision for employees

Automatic company contribution to 401K - 5% of earned wages

Annual paid holidays

3-weeks annual vacation days to start

6-days sick leave

Educational assistance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering and UAS technology.
• Experience in leading projects and mentoring engineers.
• Proficiency in PLM and configuration management.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts and mentor junior engineers.
• Ensure integration of mechanical systems with cross-functional teams.
• Oversee design activities to meet performance and cost objectives.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

UAS

SolidWorks

Manufacturing engineering

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Bills of Materials (BOM)

Supply chain management

Avionics

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary: The Senior Mechanical Engineer will contribute to all phases of multiple projects—including concept development, design, implementation, and revision—across a wide range of technological domains such as autonomous command and control, object detection, scientific data analysis, real-time mission operations support, and optomechanical systems. This matrixed role combines both leadership and hands-on engineering responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical engineering, with expertise in SolidWorks, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), manufacturing engineering, Bills of Materials (BOM), supply chain management, configuration management, and avionics. As a senior member of the team, this engineer will also mentor junior staff and oversee mechanical designs across multiple programs.

Job Duties:

• Design and Development: Lead the mechanical design efforts across multiple programs, ensuring the successful development and integration of complex systems, including avionics, UAS components, and related mechanical systems.
• Mentorship: Mentor and guide junior mechanical engineers, providing technical guidance, career development support, and fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including electrical, software, and systems engineering, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical designs with other system components.
• Program Oversight: Oversee mechanical design activities for various programs, ensuring design solutions meet performance, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Mechanical Analysis: Perform analysis and simulation to validate designs, including stress, thermal, vibration, and fatigue analysis as required.
• Configuration Management: Manage and ensure proper configuration control of mechanical designs, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and requirements.
• PLM and Documentation: Utilize Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools for design documentation, version control, and tracking throughout the product lifecycle.
• Avionics Integration: Collaborate with avionics teams to ensure mechanical designs accommodate avionics requirements for optimal system performance.
• Production and Manufacturing: Provide oversight and guidance for the manufacturing process, ensuring that designs are feasible and meet production requirements. Work closely with the manufacturing engineering team to address issues that arise during production.
• Supply Chain and BOM: Support the development and maintenance of Bills of Materials (BOMs) and collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure materials are available and properly sourced for mechanical assemblies.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for design process improvement and implement best practices to enhance mechanical engineering efficiency and product quality.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision for employees – substantial subsidy for family
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)
• Annual paid holidays
• 3-weeks annual vacation days to start
• 6-days sick leave
• Educational assistance

https://oksi.ai/careers/

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a field related to the above technologies (e.g., physics, mechanical engineering, etc.) A master's degree is a preferred.

Experience: 10+years of working experience in relevant technologies.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in mechanical engineering, with a strong focus on UAS, avionics, SolidWorks, and manufacturing engineering.Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), optomechanical design, thermal management, lightweight structures and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools is a plus.
• Proven experience in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and configuration management.
• Expertise in mechanical design, including complex systems integration, analysis, and testing.
• Strong background in Production and Manufacturing Engineering, with a deep understanding of the manufacturing process.
• Experience with Bills of Materials (BOM), supply chain management, and production planning.
• Strong understanding of avionics and UAS mechanical systems.
• Experience with flying or can fly drones.
• Has computer/electronics assembly experience.

Soft Skills:

• Self-motivated with a strong desire to learn.
• Demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities using practical organizational and time-management skills.

Project Management:

• Experience in leading projects from concept to completion, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Experience mentoring and leading teams of engineers in a matrixed environment.

Additional Requirement: A Department of Defense Secret clearance. You will be subject to government security investigations and must be able to access classified information. The inability to obtain a security clearance will result in you being ineligible for this position.

Salary Range

$145,000—$320,488 USD

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Shift Days

Position Mechanical Engineer IV-VI

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

Open Date 6/4/2025

Location HQ

About the Organization For over 30 years, OKSI has been a leader in protecting America's interests, leveraging sensor technologies, and machine-learning to support the enduring national security mission. Since our founding we've evolved and grown within the defense industry, driving innovation and industry-disruption while producing machine learning-enhanced hardware and software tools that enable the collection and interpretation of optical information. With our wide range of expertise and customization, OKSI has become the leader in creation and implementation of imaging EO/IR systems for military, ground, air, and space-based applications for the United States. We step in and innovate when existing systems and tools are inadequate. We drive breakthrough technological developments with and for top government agencies, universities, and commercial organizations.

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.