Lead Mechanical Engineer - Directed Energy

Job Description

HII, Mission Technologies has an opportunity available for a Lead Mechanical Engineer located in Knoxville, TN.

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced mechanical systems that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that mechanical designs—including structural components, thermal management systems, precision assemblies, and packaging solutions—translate into safe, functional, and production-ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Design & Engineering Leadership

• Lead computer-aided mechanical engineering design for structural components, power electronics, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, and mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms.
• Direct design efforts for structural components, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms.
• Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems.
• Translate requirements into polished 2D/3D CAD models using SolidWorks.
• Perform and oversee fundamental engineering analysis (stress, thermal, vibration, fluid dynamics).
• Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems and prototypes.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Systems Integration

• Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture.
• Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers and program management.
• Interface with manufacturing to optimize designs for fabrication.
• Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements.

• Risk Management & Problem Solving

• Identify, articulate, and manage risks across mechanical, structural, and thermal systems.
• Solve complex engineering problems in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements.
• Lead design reviews and DFMEA, serving as technical escalation point.

• Technical Documentation & Configuration Leadership

• Create and approve engineering drawings with GD&T, design documentation, and technical specifications.
• Lead configuration management using SolidWorks PDM.
• Review and approve documentation from junior team members.

• Stakeholder Communication & Program Leadership

• Communicate effectively with government customers, leadership, and technical experts.
• Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in design quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.

Minimum Qualifications

• 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; or 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field.
• High-level of proficiency in SolidWorks CAD for complex assemblies and systems.
• Extensive experience with GD&T, creating manufacturing-ready drawings, and DFM principles.
• Ability to translate requirements into tasks and completed designs
• Ability to perform fundamental analysis working from first principles
• Demonstrated technical leadership driving results in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Experience in creating DFMEA
• Experience managing tasks within budgets
• Experience with fabrication, manufacturing methods, and hands-on prototyping.
• Proven leadership mentoring and developing engineers across all levels
• SolidWorks PDM and configuration management experience.
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.

Preferred Requirements

• FEA/CFE experience with complex analysis and optimization.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and ANSYS for modeling and simulation.
• Deep thermal management expertise for high-power applications.
• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.
• Clearance: Active SECRET level security clearance.