Job Title: Mechanical EngineerJob Description
This Mechanical Engineer role supports the sustainment, design, and analysis of advanced Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) energy absorption systems used to safely decelerate aircraft during carrier landings. You will work within a multidisciplinary engineering team to develop, model, analyze, and maintain complex mechanical systems in demanding maritime environments, focusing on reliability, safety, and manufacturability. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative engineering solutions, create clear technical documentation and presentations, and support both production and fielded systems.
Responsibilities
Work within a multidisciplinary engineering teamincluding Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Software, Manufacturing, and Systems engineersto support the design, analysis, and sustainment of ALRE energy absorption systems and related hardware.
Support the determination of technical objectives and solution paths for advanced mechanical engineering problems under the direction of senior engineers and engineering leadership.
Perform structural and mechanical analyses, including stress, deflection, and fatigue assessments, using hand calculations and finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS, and thoroughly document assumptions, methods, and results.
Develop and update detailed 3D models and engineering drawings in SolidWorks and/or Creo, applying GD&T per ASME standards and performing tolerance stackup analyses to ensure proper fit, function, and manufacturability.
Contribute to designformanufacturing and designforsustainment activities, including materials selection, corrosionresistant design practices, and support for both production and fielded systems.
Participate in FMEA and other risk assessment methodologies to support the reliability and safety of energy absorption systems and associated components.
Assist in formulating plans and supporting the development, testing, documentation, integration, and safety/compliance of mechanical engineering solutions.
Support the ongoing maintenance and improvement of engineering solutions through clear documentation, reporting, and technical presentations to ensure viability in an evolving environment.
Prepare and review technical reports, process documentation, and engineering change documentation such as change requests (CRs) and engineering change notices (ECNs) in coordination with configuration management.
Provide technical input to procurement documents, specifications, and Statements of Work (SOWs) for engineered components and assemblies, and support technical evaluations to aid procurement decisions.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Procurement, Program Office, Planning, Configuration Management, vendors, and customers to resolve designrelated issues and support production and test schedules.
Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information and ensure all work is performed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and company procedures.
Develop and communicate new engineering concepts and apply them accurately within an evolving environment, organizing, scheduling, and coordinating work phases to meet project objectives.
Work in a customerfocused manner, operating independently on a selfinitiated basis or collaboratively within a team, and support extended hours and travel as required to meet program needs.
Communicate technical information effectively to peers, stakeholders, and customers through written documents, presentations, and discussions.
Essential Skills
Handson mechanical design experience with designformanufacturing and designforsustainment, particularly for energy absorption systems or similar safetycritical mechanical systems.
Proficiency in 3D modeling and detailed drawing creation using Creo and SolidWorks.
Strong experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME standards, including performing tolerance stackup analysis.
Ability to perform structural and mechanical analyses, including stress, deflection, and fatigue assessments, using hand calculations and FEA tools such as ANSYS Mechanical.
Experience designing for reliability and safety, including participation in FMEA and other risk assessment activities.
Ability to develop clear technical documentation, reports, process documents, and engineering change documentation (CRs, ECNs).
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex technical information to engineering peers and nontechnical stakeholders.
Ability to organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases and determine appropriate approaches at the task level and, with guidance, at the project level.
Customerfocused mindset with the ability to work independently on a selfinitiated basis and collaboratively in a team environment.
Willingness and ability to work extended hours and travel as needed.
Typically, four or more years of progressive engineering experience with a bachelors degree, or two or more years of progressive engineering experience with a masters degree; equivalent engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of formal education.
Bachelors, masters, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, or equivalent engineering experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working with complex mechanical systems in demanding environments, such as maritime, space, or missile systems.
Working knowledge of space or missile systems and experience conducting environmental tests while operating these @types of systems.
Handson experience testing power electronic equipment.
Experience writing technical documents such as test procedures and test reports.
Experience communicating technical information to peers and customers through formal presentations and technical discussions.
Demonstrated expertise in leading or guiding an engineering team independently.
Working knowledge of power electronics, particularly in power conditioning and energy storage, and experience conducting tests in development and production environments.
Working knowledge of electrical subsystem and systemlevel testing, with some experience in boardlevel tests.
Experience collaborating with crossfunctional groups such as Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Procurement, Program Office, Planning, Configuration Management, vendors, and customers.
Ability to build strong crossfunctional relationships and efficiently drive engineering tasks to completion under the guidance of senior staff.
Work Environment
This role is based in a professional engineering environment supporting advanced aircraft carrier systems, with a focus on Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment energy absorption systems. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Software, Manufacturing, and Systems engineers, as well as Quality Assurance, Procurement, Program Office, Planning, Configuration Management, vendors, and customers. The work involves a mix of officebased activitiessuch as 3D modeling in Creo and SolidWorks, structural analysis using ANSYS, and preparation of technical documentationand collaboration with production and test operations. Extended hours and travel may be required to support program schedules, testing, and customer engagements. Work is performed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and company procedures, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality, safety, reliability, and adherence to engineering and configuration management standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/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.
Benefits, Bonus Eligible, Salary
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.
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.
