Job Title: Senior Mechanical EngineerJob Description
The Senior Mechanical Engineer leads the design, analysis, integration, and qualification of complex undersea electromechanical systems that support advanced SONAR and Navy applications. As a Senior member of the Mechanical Engineering team, this role owns new product development efforts and supports large product lines from initial concept through production and field deployment. The position focuses on macro-level mechanical design and electronics packaging, with a particular emphasis on complete systems and assemblies, including pressure vessels, electronics housings, deployment systems, flotation systems, and anchor systems 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.
Essential Skills
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.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Santa Barbara, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $180000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Competitive compensation ($120K-$180K) - 3% company-funded 401(k) contribution - Medical, dental, vision & life insurance - Paid vacation and sick time - Stable defense/Navy-funded work supporting cutting-edge undersea technology - Santa Barbara location, minutes from the beach
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Barbara,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
