Mechanical Engineer

DESE Research, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help scale and improve automated manufacturing processes for advanced aerospace hardware. In this role, you will apply your mechanical and controls engineering expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to develop and optimize automated equipment and tooling in a fast-paced production environment.

• Perform mechanical design, hardware development, and visualization using 3D CAD tools.
• Create, interpret, and review detailed mechanical drawings with proper GD&T.
• Manage the entire project lifecycle, including requirements intake, design, construction, commissioning, and ongoing support.
• Develop hardware designs and process flows for innovative automated equipment and tooling in both simulated and real-world settings.
• Design custom automation equipment such as robotic end-of-arm tools, auxiliary material-handling equipment, structural components, and complete cell/system layouts including safety guarding and enclosures.
• Provide production support for sophisticated manufacturing equipment and perform root-cause analysis to drive continuous process improvements.
• Lead project management activities, including vendor and supplier coordination.
• Support initiatives to improve manufacturing reliability and efficiency through automation by developing technical roadmaps and implementing solutions.
• Integrate mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and related components into unified systems.
• Enhance existing systems for optimal performance and reliability.
• Conduct feasibility studies, prototyping, and process simulations.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure system requirements are fully met.

• 4+ years of experience with "from scratch" design, procurement, assembly, commissioning, and maintenance of automated tooling or equipment.
• 4+ years of experience using CAD with advanced understanding of, and demonstrated ability to implement, GD&T on 2D drawings through design, peer review, and engineering release.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on problem-solving skills with a focus on design and process simplification.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• High attention to detail, ensuring precision and accuracy in all engineering tasks.
• Familiarity with control systems, robotics, and automated industrial equipment, machines, and processes.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Experience in manufacturing and/or integration of automated equipment (preferably with an automation systems integrator).
• Experience with ANSYS or similar simulation software for structural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), or other multiphysics simulations.
• Exposure to controls and automation software.
• Experience with PLC, CNC, and robotic programming and modification.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C/C++, or MATLAB.
• Ability to interpret and review electrical drawings.
• Mechanical design experience for process control systems (e.g., welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, or machine vision).
• Familiarity with industrial automation solutions and best practices.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be eligible to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

For the past 43 years, DESE has provided industry-leading technical and engineering solutions in the fields of Defense, Energy, Space, and Environment. As a small, family-oriented business, DESE provides a compelling benefits package including a generous profit-sharing plan, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve complex and engaging problems.

At DESE, we are committed to creating a company that is known for its respect and care for employees. We understand that happy employees are what keeps our business going and we strive to provide the best opportunities for each individual working on our team. Here are a…