Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Actalent is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, and qualification of complex undersea electromechanical systems for advanced SONAR and Navy applications.

About the role

As a senior member of the Mechanical Engineering team, you will own new product development efforts and support large product lines from initial concept through production and field deployment. The role focuses on macro-level mechanical design and electronics packaging, with an emphasis on complete systems and assemblies for demanding underwater environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, documentation, integration, and qualification testing of mechanical subsystems for undersea products.
• Design and package complex electronics assemblies within pressure vessels and environmental enclosures.
• Develop and analyze stacked electronics assemblies, ensuring structural integrity, reliability, and thermal performance.
• Perform structural, vibration, shock, thermal, and finite element analyses (FEA) to validate mechanical designs.
• Design hydrostatic pressure vessels, housings, mounting structures, sealing systems, and mechanical interfaces for underwater applications.
• Support the design and development of deployment mechanisms, flotation systems, anchor systems, and other mission-critical hardware.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers to define packaging requirements and integrate electrical subsystems into mechanical designs.
• Review engineering drawings, GD&T, materials, and manufacturing processes to improve product quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Support qualification, environmental, and validation testing activities, including test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and reporting.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, program management, and other engineering teams to support production schedules and new product introductions.
• Maintain SolidWorks models, engineering documentation, manufacturing files, and design records throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong experience designing large electromechanical assemblies and mechanical systems.
• Experience packaging electronics assemblies within ruggedized or environmentally controlled enclosures.
• Demonstrated experience with pressure vessel design and analysis.
• Strong structural analysis background, including finite element analysis (FEA).
• Experience performing vibration, shock, thermal, and tolerance stack-up analyses.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for mechanical design and documentation.
• Experience supporting product qualification and environmental testing.
• Knowledge of materials selection, manufacturing processes, and design for production.
• Experience with GD&T and detailed mechanical drawing practices.
• Mechanical design and engineering expertise across new product development and sustaining engineering.

Skills

• Experience with hydrostatic pressure vessels, O-ring sealing, syntactic foams, and pressure-compensated designs.
• Experience working with deployment systems, flotation systems, anchoring systems, or other underwater mechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with sonar systems, acoustic positioning systems, hydrophones, projectors, or underwater navigation technologies.
• Hands-on mechanical aptitude, including machining, fabrication, assembly, welding, or troubleshooting.
• Experience designing products intended for harsh operational environments and deep-water applications.
• Background in sheet metal design and analysis.
• Experience with FEA analysis tools and methods for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Interest in working on niche products in a diverse, quality-focused, and hands-on engineering role.
• Ability to operate with a strong sense of ownership over designs and product outcomes.
• Potential to obtain a security clearance, depending on project needs and eligibility.

Work Environment

The work environment offers a balanced pace that alternates between fast-moving project phases and slower, more methodical design and analysis periods. Engineers operate with a true ownership mindset, taking responsibility for designs from concept through production and field deployment. The role is hands-on, with opportunities to engage directly in quality checking, testing, and interaction with manufacturing. The team works on niche undersea products that demand rigorous engineering standards and thorough analysis, including FEA and environmental testing, in a professional, collaborative setting.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $125,000 - $180,000 per year. Individual compensation offered will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• 3% company-funded 401(k) contribution.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Stable defense/Navy-funded work supporting cutting-edge undersea technology.
• Santa Barbara location, minutes from the beach.

Schedule

This is a permanent, fully onsite position based in Santa Barbara, CA.