Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Location: Panama City Beach, FL, US

Schedule: Full-Time;
Shift: Day Job;
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Clearance:  required; ability to obtain Secret

Remote Work: _SITE

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Panama City Beach, Florida. The role will lead mechanical equipment design, system design, testing, and troubleshooting efforts supporting rapid development, prototyping, and production of cutting‑edge adaptive warfare technologies. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of technical expertise, advanced problem‑solving skills, leadership capabilities, and a collaborative mindset.

• Lead mechanical engineering efforts on a variety of projects, including design, development, and testing of complex mechanical systems, structural components, and equipment packages.
• Develop design requirements and ensure compliance with program objectives, utilizing advanced principles of Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Provide expert‑level guidance on feasibility assessments, prototype development, and design validation testing.
• Oversee and actively contribute to creation and refinement of detailed designs, drawings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Collaborate closely with technicians, junior engineers, and cross‑functional teams to meet project milestones and resolve technical challenges.
• Serve as the primary technical authority for troubleshooting and resolving complex issues related to mechanical systems and components.
• Drive innovation in design approaches to optimize performance, maintainability, and manufacturability for ruggedized environments.
• Prepare, review, and approve technical documentation, including engineering reports, test procedures, and variance analysis reports.
• Interface directly with program management to communicate technical risks, recommend solutions, and align program deliverables with customer needs.
• Lead vendor evaluation, review procurement documentation, and verify the technical adequacy of deliverables.
• Actively participate in and provide leadership for design reviews, offering recommendations that ensure compliance with engineering best practices and mission‑critical objectives.
• Mentor and support junior engineers, helping to build technical expertise within the team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (Master’s degree preferred) and minimum of five years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering design, analysis, and testing.
• Advanced expertise in materials science, including material selection for mechanical systems and structural components.
• Proficiency in utilizing and optimizing CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, CATIA, AutoCAD) for complex mechanical design and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing mechanical components such as enclosures, mounts, multi‑part assemblies, heat exchangers, and structures for harsh environmental conditions.
• Expertise in thermal management solutions, stress analysis, vibration analysis, and mechanical fatigue analysis to ensure system reliability.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with mechanical systems, making data‑driven recommendations for improvements.
• Extensive background in manufacturing processes, including precision machining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), welding, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Exceptional ability to interpret and refine electrical and mechanical drawings for integration efforts.
• Experience leading cross‑disciplinary teams, managing technical risks, and ensuring delivery of high‑quality engineering solutions within tight deadlines.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to contribute to or oversee creation of technical data packages, specifications, and test plans.
• Effective communication skills, capable of presenting complex analyses and solutions to stakeholders at all levels.