Senior Mechanical Engineer/Depot Activation Lead

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer/Depot Activation Lead in Indiana to play a pivotal role in the establishment of new MRO capabilities. The position encompasses planning, coordinating, and executing standalone defense projects while ensuring that technical elements are effectively defined and integrated.

The ideal candidate has a comprehensive background in aerospace or defense sustainment with considerable experience in integrated product teams and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in aerospace or defense sustainment.
• Strong understanding of MRO processes and defense sustainment operations.
• Ability to manage complex defense program stand-ups.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate mechanical requirements.
• Prepare engineering documentation and manage action items.
• Support program reviews and milestone events.

Skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Technical requirements

Communication

Logistics management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Related technical discipline

Tools

Automated Test Equipment (ATE)

Earned Value Management System (EVMS)

Job description

Job Description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer/Depot Activation Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the stand-up of a new hardware maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability within a major defense enterprise. This role is dedicated to technical enablement, emphasizing the identification of system and equipment requirements, deployment of automated testing infrastructure, and organization of complex logistics and sustainment database environments. The position ensures that all technical elements are accurately defined, integrated, and supported to maintain effective and reliable system sustainment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborate with systems, electrical, and test engineering teams to integrate mechanical requirements into prototypes.
• Provide technical input during Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings and manage assigned action items.
• Prepare engineering documentation, including drawings, analysis reports, specifications, and configuration-controlled artifacts.
• Support program reviews, milestone events, and Navy design evaluations.
• Translate engineering notes, depot repair observations, reverse-engineered components, and GFI technical manuals into formal drawing packages.
• Develop or update BOMs, install drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and cable harness documentation for radar subsystems.
• Work closely with radar engineers, field technicians, and manufacturing leads to resolve discrepancies and ensure technical accuracy.
• Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure all quality requirements are included in all documentation this position will prepare.

Interim Operational Capability (IOC) Phase

• Establish the foundational data collection framework, validating initial data schemas for maintenance logging and asset tracking.
• Draft, review, and freeze the initial Technical Data Packages (TDP) and baseline Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Onboard and train a skeletal crew of certified core technicians to handle first-article maintenance demonstrations.
• Verify functionality of core Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and Special Tooling & Test Equipment (STTE) to safely ingest proof-of-concept components.
• Direct successful first-article teardowns and inspection sequences to prove system accuracy.

Full Operational Capability (FOC) Phase

• Scale database platforms to handle live, concurrent transactional tracking, establishing fully automated, bidirectionally secure connections with military logistics host networks.
• Incorporate comprehensive configuration management loops to instantly capture tech‑data changes and push field updates across production floors.
• Expand specialized tooling pathways to match maximum contract throughput parameters, eliminating throughput bottlenecks.
• Transition day-to-day production operations to long‑term sustainment managers and line supervisors once steady‑state yield benchmarks are achieved.

Experience And Skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Management Information Systems (MIS), Logistics Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of aerospace or defense sustainment experience, explicitly managing complex defense program stand‑ups or engineering transitions.
• Strong understanding of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes and defense sustainment operations
• Experience developing and interpreting technical requirements for complex hardware systems
• Proficiency in deploying and integrating automated test equipment and supporting infrastructure
• Ability to map, manage, and validate logistics, configuration, and sustainment data environments
• Knowledge of DoD logistics systems, readiness frameworks, and operational capability milestones (IOC/FOC)
• Demonstrated skill in cross‑functional coordination across engineering, logistics, supply chain, and program teams
• Understanding of metrology and calibration support for selected test equipment
• Excellent project management, planning, and organizational abilities
• Strong analytical and problem?solving skills with attention to detail
• Effective communication skills for engaging stakeholders and presenting technical information
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive tasks to completion
• Active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting NAVSEA, PEO IWS, NSWC, defense contractors, or Fleet sustainment programs.
• Experience drafting components related to antenna arrays, signal processors, radar cabinets, or shipboard power systems.
• Background or familiarity with 2M repair standards, test stations, or electronics refurbishment is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive understanding of DoD lifecycle gates, including System Requirements Reviews (SRRs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and transitioning facilities through IOC/FOC thresholds.
• Professional certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Level II/III in Lifecycle Logistics/Program Management.
• Familiarity with tracking tools using Earned Value Management System (EVMS) rules.
• Deep technical background working directly with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 quality frameworks.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affiant Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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