Senior Mechanical Engineer

A Senior Mechanical Engineer is responsible for leading the design effort of opto-mechanical subassemblies for gimbaled telescopes and sensors. Sr MEs must conceptualize designs; collaborate with other engineering disciplines to ensure that the specified system performance is achieved; produce models and drawings using CAD (SolidWorks); perform analyses to ensure integrity and characterize hardware performance; support assembly, integration, and test; collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers to develop build plans, tooling, and test procedures; troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise during the build and test phases; and contribute to proposals and quotations for business development activities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Use knowledge and experience to plan the execution of assigned tasks.  Coordinate design engineering activities on assigned projects.  Work independently to achieve goals and objectives. 
• Responsible for product design and process development activities on assigned projects; ensure product designs and processes meet customer specifications and technical requirements.      See “Skills and Other Requirements” for details associated with the role expectations.
• Support program management with technical advice and direction on assigned programs.  Adhere to program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to project leadership.
• Resolve technical issues as they arise during fabrication
• Support Business Development activities by contributing to proposal preparation.

Education & Experience

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.  An understanding of optical and mechanical design processes and the ability to apply engineering theories and concepts are essential.

• Minimum five years of related experience in a professional role with Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years with Master’s degree or no experience required with Ph.D. in relevant field.

 

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently or working with others.  Strong organizational skills and attention to details required.
• Strong mechanical design skills with CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) and familiarity with FEA (Simcenter 3D and/or FEMAP/NX Nastran preferred).
• Experience in preparing and maintaining drawings, procedures, work instructions, and Bill of Materials in an environment of complete document and configuration control is desired.
• Experience with the design of electro-optical and opto-mechanical systems from concept to production. Perform analysis of precision mechanisms, optics, optics mounting strategies, detailed geometric tolerances, manufacturability, and cost.  Experience with detail design, development, and validation of mechanical assemblies.
• Solid understanding of design for assembly and integration in complex opto-mechanical devices including tolerance stack analysis.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.  Familiarity with analytical tools used for problem solving and process development.
• Experience with networked PC based computer system (MS Office, spreadsheets, graphics, Email, ERP systems, and accounting software).

Key experience, knowledge, or specialization that will enhance effectiveness in this position includes:

• Experience with opto-mechanical design, analysis, assembly (optical alignment), and/or testing methods
• Experience with precision mechanism design, analysis, assembly and/or testing methods (i.e. motor and bearing sizing, encoder selection, lubrication, flexure design, etc.)
• Experience with design and analysis of materials such as ceramics, specialty metals (Invar), carbon fiber composites, and optical coatings
• Understanding of attachment methods for opto-mechanical systems; preparation and use of primers, epoxies, RTV, and elastomers
• Experience with optical metrology and/or alignment instruments and techniques (interferometers, spectrophotometers, autocollimators, theodolites, laser sources, etc.)
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T Y14.5)
• Knowledge of optical materials and fabrication processes
• Experience with analysis software: Femap/NX Nastran, Simcenter 3D, Mathcad, Matlab, and/or Star CCM+ preferred
• Experience with dynamic testing and data reduction
• Knowledge of thermal, vibrational, and shock analysis methods with application toward optical systems

 

Working Conditions

• Job operates in a professional office environment
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photoc