Senior Mechanical Engineer- Gearbox Design

Janicki Industries, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Education reimbursement

Shift options

Premium pay for off-shifts

Security clearance bonus

Job summary

Janicki Industries, Inc. is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Sedro Woolley, WA to design gearboxes and power transmission systems for industrial equipment. You will own designs from concept through manufacturing and test validation, delivering robust, high-quality solutions.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in gearbox design, strong gear theory knowledge, and hands-on experience with FEA and CAD tools. This role offers growth as our team scales across locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 5+ years of experience designing gearboxes or power transmission equipment.
• Strong knowledge of gear theory and AGMA/ISO standards.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and gear design/analysis tools (KISSsoft, MASTA, Romax).
• Experience with FEA software (ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with large industrial gearboxes (wind/mining/marine/oil & gas).
• Ability to obtain U.S. Secret Clearance (Citizenship required).
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design gearboxes and drivetrain components to meet performance targets.
• Perform gear design calculations per AGMA/ISO/DIN standards.
• Select bearings, seals, lubrication systems for reliability.
• Own designs from concept through prototyping and testing.
• Create 3D models, drawings, and GD&T using CAD tools.
• Run structural, thermal, and vibration analyses (FEA).
• Collaborate with manufacturing and QA to resolve issues.
• Support prototype builds, testing, and root-cause analysis.
• Prepare calculations, reports, and documentation for design reviews.
• Ensure designs meet industry standards and customer specs.
• Collaborate with suppliers on castings and components.
• Mentor junior engineers and define design standards.

Skills

Gear design

GD&T

FEM/FEA

3D CAD

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

KISSsoft

MASTA

Romax

ANSYS

Abaqus

SolidWorks

Job description

At Janicki Industries, we turn complex ideas into real-world solutions through advanced engineering and manufacturing. Our teams design and build innovative structures, tooling, and systems that support industries including aerospace, space, defense, marine, and architecture. Across every role—from engineers and technicians to operations and support teams—our people help solve challenging problems, push the limits of design and manufacturing, and create solutions that make a lasting impact. This position is located in Sedro Woolley, Washington State.

Department Summary

We are looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to design and develop gearboxes and power transmission systems used in industrial equipment and heavy machinery. This role will directly support our machine build efforts as we expand our capabilities and locations. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in gear theory, mechanical design, and structural analysis, and enjoys taking a product from concept through manufacturing and test validation

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design gearboxes and related drivetrain components (gears, shafts, bearings, housings) to meet performance, durability, cost, and schedule targets
• Perform gear design calculations (bending, contact stress, scoring) per AGMA/ISO/DIN standards
• Size and select bearings, seals, and lubrication systems for reliable operation
• Own designs from concept through detailed design, prototyping, manufacturing support, and test validation
• Create 3D models, detailed drawings, and GD&T specifications using CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or similar)
• Run structural, thermal, and vibration analysis (FEA) to validate designs
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and test teams to resolve design and production issues
• Support prototype builds, testing, and root-cause failure analysis
• Prepare design calculations, technical reports, and documentation for design reviews
• Ensure designs meet applicable industry standards and customer specifications
• Work with suppliers on castings, forgings, and purchased components
• Mentor junior engineers and help establish design standards and best practices as the team scales
• Must work well under pressure, meeting and completing multiple deadlines.
• Must be at work on time and maintain good attendance. This is a condition of employment and is an essential function of the job
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's preferred)
• 5+ years of experience designing gearboxes or power transmission equipment
• Strong knowledge of gear theory, AGMA/ISO gear rating standards, and lubrication principles
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software and gear design/analysis tools (e.g., KISSsoft, MASTA, Romax, or similar)
• Experience with FEA software (ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar) for structural and thermal analysis
• Solid understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and manufacturing processes (gear cutting, grinding, heat treatment)
• Familiarity with bearing selection and shaft design principles
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Experience with large industrial gearboxes (wind, mining, marine, or oil & gas applications)
• Knowledge of noise/vibration (NVH) analysis for gear systems
• Experience with project management and customer-facing technical roles
• Due to our ITAR and EAR regulations applicants must be a US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b (a)(3)
• This position may require the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required). Janicki will assist with gaining this access once employed
• Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements may require participation in a Continuous Evaluation program

Detailed Wage Information

Wage range for this role is between

$130,000 - $170,000

plus a discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees may also receive additional pay for off-shifts, off-site work, and access pay. The range provided represents Janicki's estimate of the base compensation for this role The actual amount offered will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors including experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution
• Disability insurance as well as life and AD&D insurance
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer contribution and FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Paid time off and paid holidays including two floating holidays
• Education reimbursement program
• Several shift options
• Premium pay for off-shifts
• Premium pay for security clearance if applicable

Janicki Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Janicki Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, veteran/military service status, or any other legally protected status. Janicki is proud to be a military friendly employer. Applicants or employees wishing to view a copy of Janicki Industries' Affirmitative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at . As a federal government contractor and a recipient of federal funding, Janicki is required to abide by federal drug testing requirements (including preemployment drug testing for cannabis). Additionally, because of Janicki's work on aerospace products and the high volume of safety sensitive positions, Janicki takes the safety of its employees very seriously and requires that employees pass a preemployment drug test prior to starting employment.