Mechanical Engineer III - Design

Accountabilities:: Develop and refine mechanical designs using fundamental engineering principles, including actuator concepts, pressure vessels, hot gas valves, thrusters, igniters, and solid rocket motor components. Perform design trade studies, evaluate alternative solutions, and provide engineering recommendations based on performance, reliability, manufacturability, and program requirements. Create detailed 2D drawings, 3D models, complex assemblies, and technical documentation using CAD tools, applying geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) principles. Conduct structural, stress, dynamic, thermal, tolerance, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses to assess and optimize design performance. Interpret simulation and analysis results, validate engineering assumptions, identify design improvements, and support informed technical decisions. Evaluate materials for demanding operating environments, including ceramics, rubber and phenolic thermal insulators, advanced metals, and refractory materials. Contribute to material characterization, insulator system development, and research into specialized alloys and advanced material technologies. Support manufacturing planning and execution, including additive manufacturing, carbon composite processes, machining, molding, casting, welding, and mechanical assembly. Collaborate with manufacturing and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure designs meet technical specifications and can be produced effectively. Prepare technical reports, presentations, user manuals, and other engineering documentation for different technical and non-technical audiences. Apply knowledge of propellant chemistry, combustion mechanisms, grain configurations, and solid propellant formulation and manufacturing processes where relevant to propulsion design activities. Support systems engineering activities, including mass calculations, mass budget management, and mass reduction initiatives. Contribute to program planning, acquisition lifecycle coordination, requirements analysis, reliability engineering, safety assessments, and risk management. Coordinate engineering activities and communicate technical findings, challenges, and recommendations to project stakeholders. Requirements: 4–7 years of professional mechanical engineering experience. Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline from an accredited university; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Strong foundation in mechanical design, engineering analysis, CAD modeling, technical drawing development, and GD&T. Ability to perform or contribute to structural, dynamic, thermal, tolerance, and CFD analyses, interpret results, and recommend design improvements. Knowledge of mechanical materials and manufacturing processes, including metals, ceramics, thermal insulation, composites, machining, and additive manufacturing. Understanding of engineering design trade studies, system performance, mass properties, reliability, safety, and risk management. Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to prepare detailed reports and presentations and explain complex engineering concepts to varied audiences. Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, manufacturing, and program teams while managing technical challenges and competing priorities. Willingness and ability to travel approximately 10% of the time. Ability to obtain and maintain the appropriate U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility. Compliance with applicable U.S. defense technology export regulations, including ITAR eligibility requirements. Rocket motor design and testing experience is preferred. A Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline is preferred; equivalent experience may be considered. An active Department of Defense Top Secret SCI security clearance is preferred. Benefits: California base salary range: $108,800–$155,300 USD. Nevada base salary range: $103,360–$147,535 USD. Compensation may vary based on geographic location, experience, performance, and other job-related factors. Discretionary annual bonus plan. Paid time off (PTO). Comprehensive health benefits package. Retirement savings benefits. Employee wellness program. Additional benefits as part of a comprehensive total compensation package. Opportunities to contribute to innovative aerospace, defense, and space technology programs. Work location options include Reno, Nevada; Folsom, California; Huntsville, Alabama; and remote arrangements, subject to role and program requirements.