Weapon System Mechanical Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is seeking a senior mechanical engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, testing, and production transition of weapon systems and flight‑critical aerospace hardware.

This role requires deep expertise in high‑temperature flight environments and collaboration across mechanical, electrical, RF, and systems engineering teams. Travel up to 25% may be required to support launch operations and customer milestones.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years relevant professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and analysis efforts for weapon system hardware, missile sub‑assemblies and flight‑critical components across design, fabrication, integration, and testing phases.
• Conduct and review structural, thermal and CFD analyses to validate hardware survivability, thermal management performance, and environmental robustness across full flight profiles.
• Define, execute, and manage hardware test plans, including survivability testing, environmental qualification and requirements verification for customer milestones.
• Evaluate airframe structures, radome/window materials, electronics housings, and mechanical interfaces for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, cost, and durability.
• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams supporting hardware development for weapon systems flight demonstration testing.
• Coordinate subsystem trade studies focusing on performance, cost, form factor, structural margin and integration risk to inform architecture and design decisions.
• Serve as technical interface with customers, program management, and senior leadership; preparing and delivering technical briefings, status reports, and milestone reviews.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning, performing technical and schedule risk assessments and advising program management on impacts and risk‑reduction strategies.
• Support weapon system flight demonstrations by monitoring test events, analyzing post‑flight performance data and generating test reports.
• Review component and part vendor capabilities for performance, cost competitiveness, and readiness for prototype and production hardware builds.
• Support transition of prototype weapon system hardware into manufacturable production ready configurations.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design practices, laboratory procedures, engineering tools, and professional development.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace hardware

Structural analysis

Thermal analysis

CFD analysis

Test plan development

Milestone briefings

Cross-functional leadership

Technical documentation

Education

BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Kratos Defense Rocket Support Services is seeking a highly capable mechanical engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, testing, and production transition of weapon systems and flight‑critical aerospace hardware. This position requires a strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis of high‑temperature, complex flight environments; multidisciplinary coordination with electrical, RF, and systems engineering teams; and demonstrated leadership across a hardware product’s full lifecycle from concept development through flight testing and into sustained production. May require up to 25% travel to support launch operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead mechanical design and analysis efforts for weapon system hardware, missile sub‑assemblies and flight‑critical components across design, fabrication, integration, and testing phases.
• Conduct and review structural, thermal and CFD analyses to validate hardware survivability, thermal management performance, and environmental robustness across full flight profiles.
• Define, execute, and manage hardware test plans, including survivability testing, environmental qualification and requirements verification for customer milestones.
• Evaluate airframe structures, radome/window materials, electronics housings, and mechanical interfaces for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, cost, and durability.
• Lead cross‑functional engineering teams supporting hardware development for weapon systems flight demonstration testing.
• Coordinate subsystem trade studies focusing on performance, cost, form factor, structural margin and integration risk to inform architecture and design decisions.
• Serve as technical interface with customers, program management, and senior leadership; preparing and delivering technical briefings, status reports, and milestone reviews.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning, performing technical and schedule risk assessments and advising program management on impacts and risk‑reduction strategies.
• Support weapon system flight demonstrations by monitoring test events, analyzing post‑flight performance data and generating test reports.
• Review component and part vendor capabilities for performance, cost competitiveness, and readiness for prototype and production hardware builds.
• Support transition of prototype weapon system hardware into manufacturable production ready configurations.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design practices, laboratory procedures, engineering tools, and professional development.

Experience and Skills

• Mechanical design and analysis of aerospace hardware for weapon systems environments.
• Structural, thermal, and CFD analysis experience supporting survivability and flight‑environment evaluation.
• Hands‑on fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of weapons system hardware.
• Development and execution of test plans, verification procedures and milestone briefings.
• Experience conducting subsystem trade studies involving performance, cost, manufacturability, and risk.
• Strong communication skills with customers, program managers, prime contractors and military stakeholders.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional engineering teams through design, build and test lifecycles.
• Familiarity with antenna radome design, flight‑structure materials, electronic system packaging and thermal management solutions.
• Ability to generate high‑quality technical documentation, briefings, status reports, and risk assessments.

Education and Experience

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 8+ years relevant professional experience

Benefits

• 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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.