Syndicate Innovation Engineer

Company Overview

Syndicate is a growing organization that provides shared services and operational support to multiple affiliated entities. The innovation engineer plays a critical role in driving a culture of solution focused creativity and tangible results across all entities.

Innovation Engineer – Syndicate – Riverton – Full-time Exempt, Shift: Monday-Friday. Small Arms / Suppressor / Accessory / Defense Skunk Works environment.

• Lead the design and development of new products, components, and accessories from concept through pre-commercialization
• Conduct research on emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods to drive innovation
• Create detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, and specifications using CAD software
• Analyze test data and implement design improvements based on findings
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost efficiency
• Support prototyping efforts, including hands‑on assembly and evaluation of test units
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for product issues
• Maintain thorough documentation including design history files, test reports, and compliance records
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and innovation strategy planning

Technical Foundation

• Mechanical engineering fundamentals with deep understanding of firearms and accessories
• Materials science experience: metallurgy, composites, polymers, and emerging materials (metal matrix composites, advanced ceramics, carbon fiber applications)
• CAD proficiency (Solid Works or Creo) with ability to rapidly iterate designs
• Multidisciplinary Technical Skills
• Additive manufacturing expertise (DMLS, SLM, binder jetting) for rapid prototyping and novel geometries

Innovation & Problem‑Solving

• Systematic innovation frameworks / Biomimicry and cross-domain solution mining (applying concepts from unrelated fields)
• Constraint‑based thinking: thriving when told "impossible" requirements

Prototyping & Testing

• Rapid prototyping mindset: comfort with "good enough to test" over perfection
• Hands‑on troubleshooting in field conditions

Manufacturing & Producibility

• Design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA)
• Understanding of production processes: CNC, MIM, stamping, extrusion, IM
• Tolerance stack‑up analysis and GD&T expertise

Domain‑Specific Knowledge

• Operational experience or deep user empathy (combat veteran, competitive shooter, or extensive end‑user engagement)
• Threat assessment and emerging tactical requirements
• International small arms landscape and competitive analysis
• Military standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1913, etc.) and proof testing requirements

Skunk Works Mindset

• Extreme ownership and self‑direction
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapidly changing requirements
• Speed bias: 80% solution tomorrow beats 100% solution next quarter
• Scrappiness: making do with limited resources
• Direct communication style, bypassing bureaucracy when mission‑critical
• Willingness to challenge conventional wisdom

Soft Skills & Attributes

• Technical communication: translating complex engineering to military end‑users and non‑technical leadership
• Collaborative spirit despite independent work style
• Intellectual curiosity: constant learning across disciplines
• Resilience: handling failed tests and rapid pivots without losing momentum

Cultural Fit Indicators

• Thrives in unstructured environments
• Driven by mission impact over process compliance
• Comfortable being the "jack of all trades, master of several"
• Excited by technical risk‑taking
• Prefers building things to endless analysis
• Can context‑switch rapidly between projects

Multidisciplinary Technical Skills

• Electronics and programming
• Optics and photonics experience

Bonus Differentiators

• Competition shooting experience (USPSA, 3‑Gun, PRS) for user perspective
• Software development skills