Senior Mechanical Engineer
Salient Motion · Los Angeles Metropolitan Area · 1 wk ago
On-siteManufacturing$160k–$200k/yrFull-time
About Us
We are pioneering modular motion technologies to power the next generation of innovation for Industrial, Aerospace, and Defense. We craft exclusive motion control components that propel these sectors into the future. We are well-funded, generating revenue, and located in beautiful Torrance, CA, where we recently moved into a new large hangar facility. This is an onsite position, and we are open to relocating you.
Responsibilities
- Requirements Architecture: Translate high-level, ambiguous mission needs into actionable functional and operational requirements for complex electromechanical systems.
- Precision Mechanism Design: Design and iterate on electromagnetic actuators and intricate mechanisms, integrating components such as precision gears, bearings, lead screws, braking systems, and encoders.
- Ruggedized Avionics: Develop high-performance avionics enclosures, focusing on innovative thermal management (heat rejection) and structural survivability in extreme, high-vibration, or vacuum environments.
- Environmental Qualification: Architect the test equipment and methodologies required for formal hardware qualification, ensuring total compliance with DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 standards.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a technical anchor across the organization, guiding integration efforts and supporting multidisciplinary teams through complex system testing.
- Supply Chain & Quality Advocacy: Partner closely with external suppliers to ensure the delivery of conforming hardware; proactively manage manufacturing deviations to maintain rigorous quality and schedule standards.
- Hands-on Execution: Maintain a "design-build-test" mindset, taking personal responsibility for the assembly, bring-up, and debugging of your own hardware prototypes.
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience through the full product lifecycle—from initial ideation and prototyping to high-fidelity production.
- Technical Expertise: A deep intuition for electromagnetic principles and a mastery of mechanical load paths and load cases.
- Analysis & Simulation: Proficiency in sizing analysis for strength, fatigue, and life cycles of actuator components (gears, shafts, housings).
- CAD Mastery: Advanced design experience in SolidWorks (or equivalent 3D modeling packages), including complex assemblies and configuration management.
- Manufacturing & GD&T: Fluency in ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards; ability to produce high-quality 2D drawings and collaborate with vendors to solve DFM (Design for Manufacturing) hurdles.
- Standards & Qualification: Proven track record of qualifying hardware against rigorous aerospace or military standards (DO-160, MIL-STD-810).
- Grit: A "builder" mindset—you are as comfortable at a computer as you are in the lab spinning wrenches and debugging your own hardware.
Nice to Haves
- Experience designing custom test equipment, writing formal procedures, and executing complex qualification test campaigns.
- Detailed knowledge of AGMA Standards, gearbox design analysis (ratios, backlash, lubrication), and specialized fabrication methods.
- Experience navigating both high-compliance, "heavy" programs and fast-paced, lean R&D environments.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation: $160,000 to $200,000 base salary + equity
- Exceptional healthcare benefits; Medical is 100% covered by the company
- Flexible PTO
- 401K
We are reshaping the future of the Aerospace and Defense component industry, a $300B+ market. Join us and help build next-generation systems that will make a massive impact at a global scale.