Lead Mechanical Engineer

Company Overview
Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field—what we call connecting design with effect. Metrea’s solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.  

Capability Unit 

Metrea Advanced Signals (MAS) specializes in signal classification, direction finding, advanced geolocation techniques, and waveform development including waveforms for MANET and LPI/LPD applications. MAS also develops special purpose radios for government customers and licenses DF and geolocation solutions to multiple OEMs.

Position Summary 

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing electromechanical packaging for ruggedized military radios, ensuring that all mechanical solutions meet stringent performance, environmental, and durability standards. This role requires a blend of strong mechanical design skills, hands-on development experience, and the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, software, and systems engineers.

The engineer will play an active role in the design process, addressing complex mechanical challenges, and ensuring that prototypes transition smoothly into production. They will contribute to the design of enclosures, thermal management solutions, and structural components that protect sensitive electronics in harsh environments. Additionally, they will be tasked with selecting appropriate materials, conducting stress and thermal analyses, and ensuring compliance with military standards.

As a key team member, the Lead Mechanical Engineer will also have the opportunity to mentor junior engineers, promote best practices in mechanical design, and drive process improvements to optimize efficiency and product performance. They will be expected to work closely with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure the quality and manufacturability of components, while also contributing to the long-term sustainability of the systems they help create.

This role offers the chance to advance technical expertise in electromechanical systems and rugged design while contributing to cutting-edge military communication technology in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, test, and troubleshoot mechanical systems and assemblies for ruggedized military radios.
• Define, maintain, and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) for systems, assemblies, and subassemblies.
• Work independently and collaboratively to develop mechanical solutions that meet performance and environmental requirements.
• Engage with vendors to communicate technical needs, manage timelines, and drive continuous improvements.
• Follow structured development processes and participate in design reviews to ensure high-quality, compliant designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support seamless product integration and optimization.
• Serve as a technical mentor, promoting best practices in mechanical design and development.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance design efficiency, manufacturability, and product reliability. 

Skills and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in hardware design and development.
• Proficiency in tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo
• Familiarity with PLM software like PDXpert or Arena
• Experience with ruggedized electromechanical packaging design for military or aerospace applications.
• Knowledge of RF system design, including shielding, isolation, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, injection molding, and 3D printing
• Strong hands-on approach to mechanical design and hardware development in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including hardware, software, an