Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Aerospace & Defense startup currently in Stealth based in El Segundo, made up of former SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed engineers, applying the SpaceX model to mass produce life-saving systems. Backed by joint staff level military leadership and several major SV firms, their first product is designed for immediate deployment around the world starting with Ukraine where the need is critical.

Job Overview
We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong background in actuation system design. You will design, prototype, analyze, and test complex actuation systems for aerospace rocket and missile platforms. This role involves full lifecycle ownership of system components, subassemblies, and product architecture-from concept through to integration and production. You will be responsible for performance validation via rigorous analysis and environmental testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design of compact, high-performance actuator systems.
• Perform hand calculations to develop, assess, and optimize designs.
• Conduct computational analysis on complex systems operating in harsh dynamic and environmental conditions.
• Rapidly iterate on manufacturing processes and support development testing in a fast-paced environment.
• Lead internal and external design reviews with suppliers and customers.
• Negotiate complex trade studies to balance cost, schedule, safety, and performance.
• Demonstrate technical excellence and accountability across your work.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Mechanical Design experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• High proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo/ProE, NX, or Catia.
• 2+ years of experience using computational analysis tools (e.g., Ansys).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with experience in cross-functional teams.
• Active involvement in a professional engineering society or collegiate design project is a plus.