Principal Mechanical Engineer

Position Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Requisition : 1697

Position Location: Fairfax, VA

Position

Reports To:

Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right‑sized development processes to create innovative, high‑performance space‑based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting‑edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

We are seeking a talented, self‑motivated, and experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer with demonstrated success in developing and delivering new and/or improved products that meet requirements on time and within budget.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer works collaboratively with program managers and project engineers to ensure successful program execution and is responsible for applying expert mechanical knowledge in designing and analyzing electro‑mechanical assemblies. This position requires expert technical capability and communication skills, and effective forward thinking to take advantage of opportunities and prevent issues. To be successful in this role, the individual should possess expert technical depth to perform deep‑dive analysis, as well as technical breadth to work through complex issues across disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware).

This individual can work autonomously with only high‑level objectives to be effective, is able to work on problems of diverse complexity and scope and demonstrates expert engineering judgement.

• Design & Modeling:
  Lead the mechanical design of spacecraft electronics assemblies using high‑fidelity CAD tools like Solid Works or similar.
• Draft high quality mechanical drawings for the fabrication of designed parts incorporating the necessary GD&T.
• FEA Analysis:
  Perform and review detailed structural and thermal analysis to validate design integrity under flight loads and temperatures using Ansys Workbench or similar.
• Testing &
  
  Qualification:
  
  Familiarity with space environmental testing, including vibration, thermal‑vacuum (TVAC), and shock testing, to ensure flight readiness.
• Project Oversight:
  Manage project schedules and technical risk, while coordinating with electrical, software, and systems engineers to integrate multidisciplinary subsystems.
• Teamwork:
  Mentor teammates, collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Perform detailed reviews of mechanical team products.
• Ability to support travel or off‑site work, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program.
• 9+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 7+ years with a Master’s degree.
• Experience with aerospace and/or space hardware development.
• Experience with PDM systems and configuration management.

• Working knowledge of space electronics packaging and cooling (VPX standards) and designing for space environments.
• Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic life with AD&D
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
• Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off Holidays
  401(k) (including company match)
  Tuition reimbursement
  
  Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
  Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

  Trident Systems reserves the right to change…