Lead Mechanical Engineer

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$88,550.00 per year – $ per year

The Lead Mechanical Engineer is responsible for directing the design, analysis, and integration of high‑performance opto‑mechanical systems, such as telescopes, beam directors, and related instruments and subsystems. The role spans the development of precision structures, mechanisms, and optical support assemblies for use on platforms ranging from terrestrial to spaceborne. Responsibilities include leading mechanical design teams in CAD modeling, performing or overseeing structural and thermal analyses, requirements tracking, and drawing release, while ensuring compliance with system‑level performance and functional requirements.

The role requires close coordination with optical, controls, electrical, and systems engineering disciplines, oversight of vendors and fabrication, and support for tooling development, assembly, integration and test. The Lead Mechanical Engineer also contributes to program planning by supporting proposals, cost and schedule estimating, and risk management.

• Lead the design of large telescope structures, mounts and optical support assemblies
• Perform and/or oversee FEA for gravity sag, thermal distortion, thermal management, wind loading, and dynamic response
• Participate in the characterization of system and component‑level optical performance
• Develop mirror support mounts, metering structures, and precision, multi‑degree‑of‑freedom positioning actuators for alignment maintenance
• Coordinate across disciplines (optical, controls, electrical, systems) to ensure functional and performance requirement compliance
• Manage CAD modeling, detailed drawing generation, and tolerance budgeting
• Integrate mechanical designs with subsystems such as drives, bearings, enclosures, and thermal management systems
• Define technical requirements, support procurement, and oversee vendor fabrication/testing
• Lead risk reduction activities such as breadboards, subscale prototypes, and structural tests
• Support assembly, integration, and test with tooling design and review of work instructions
• Manage as‑built documentation through a formal configuration management process, including troubleshooting and dispositioning non‑conforming material
• Present design status, risk assessments, and compliance evidence at major reviews (PDR, CDR)
• Contribute to proposals, cost and schedule estimating, and program planning
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to the mechanical design team

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline is typically required. An understanding of precision mechanism design and/or opto‑mechanical design principles, as well as hands‑on hardware assembly, integration, and testing, is essential.
• Minimum seven years of related experience in a professional role with a bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or related discipline; or minimum five years with a master’s degree; or three years with a doctorate in a relevant field.

• Strong foundation in structural and mechanical engineering, with emphasis on precision opto‑mechanical systems for operation in harsh or challenging environments
• Expertise in CAD (Solid Works preferred) and/or advanced FEA (NX Nastran or Sim Center are preferred)
• Experience with thermal, structural, and dynamic analysis of opto‑mechanical systems
• Familiarity with opto‑mechanical interfaces and tolerancing (GD&T) for precision optical systems
• Knowledge of materials selection (steel, aluminum, composites, ceramics) and processing for large precision structures
• Experience designing optical mounts for reflective or refractive systems in harsh environments is preferred
• Experience integrating, aligning, and testing optical systems is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to achieve results independently or in a team; strong organizational skills and attention to detail required
• Experience with configuration management of engineering (as‑designed) documentation
• Experience with vendor engagement,…