Weapon System Mechanical Engineer

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense Rocket Support Services in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, testing, and transition of weapon systems and high-temperature aerospace hardware, with up to 25% travel.

The role requires multidisciplinary coordination with electrical, RF, and systems teams; mentoring junior engineers; and delivering technical briefings and milestone reviews across the full lifecycle from concept to production.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and analysis for weapon system hardware across design, fabrication, integration and testing.
• Conduct structural, thermal and CFD analyses to validate survivability and flight-environment performance.
• Define, execute and manage hardware test plans including survivability testing and requirements verification.
• Evaluate airframe structures, radome/window materials, electronics housings, and interfaces for manufacturability and durability.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams supporting hardware development for flight demonstration testing.
• Coordinate subsystem trade studies focusing on performance, cost, form factor and risk.
• Deliver technical briefings, status reports and milestone reviews to customers and management.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design practices and testing procedures.
• Support transition of prototype hardware to manufacturable production configurations.
• Travel up to 25% to support launch operations.

Skills

Mechanical design & analysis

Structural, thermal & CFD analysis

Fabrication, assembly & testing

Test plans & verification

Subsystem trade studies

Customer & program management comms

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Antenna radome design & thermal mgmt

Technical documentation & briefings

US citizenship & security clearance

Education

BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

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 productis full lifecycle from concept development through flight testing and into sustained production. iMay 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.

Keyword: Weapons Engineering

Required Experience:

JOB 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.
• iU.S. citizen with the ability to obtain/maintain government security clearance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• 8+ years relevant professional experience
• Ability to obtain/maintain security clearance.

From: Kratos Defense