Principal Mechanical Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and opto-mechanical architecture and design for high-power fiber laser amplifiers and directed-energy systems
• Drive design trade studies addressing performance, SWaP, reliability, environmental survivability, manufacturability, and cost
• Define mechanical requirements, interfaces, and system layouts in collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams
• Apply DFX principles and manufacturing best practices to deliver robust, production-ready designs
• Lead or review engineering analyses including thermal management, structural integrity, vibration, shock, and materials selection
• Define and oversee design verification, acceptance testing, and environmental qualification strategies
• Provide technical oversight for procurement, assembly, integration, and test of prototype and production hardware
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and process equipment strategies to support scalable manufacturing
• Support system-level integration and testing of HEL combined systems as required
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple projects or programs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field
• 10+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
• Extensive experience in precision mechanical and opto-mechanical design
• Strong background in manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal, and injection molding
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and advanced engineering drawing practices, including tolerance analysis and GD&T per ANSI Y14.5
• Demonstrated expertise in thermal, structural, and materials analyses
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts
• Highly organized and detail-oriented

Preferred Experience

• Development and qualification of high-power laser or electro-optical systems
• Experience with fiber optics, optical assemblies, and precision alignment techniques
• Environmental and mechanical qualification testing for military applications
• Experience with COMSOL or similar analysis tools
• Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading technical efforts