Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer I

Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest‑growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber‑secure solutions. From software‑defined radios to cutting‑edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer I at Innoflight, you will serve as a principal‑level contributor providing technical leadership for the design, analysis, and integration of complex mechanical systems for aerospace and spaceflight applications. You will drive system‑level solutions across multiple programs, resolve challenging engineering problems, and mentor engineers while upholding rigorous engineering standards.

• Lead full lifecycle mechanical development:
  Drive mechanical design from concept through qualification, production, and sustainment for complex, high‑reliability systems.
• Serve as senior technical authority:
  Provide design direction and ensure alignment with system‑level requirements, performance, cost, and schedule.
• Perform and review advanced analyses:
  Conduct and validate thermal, structural, and dynamic analyses using hand calculations and FEA tools such as Solid Works Simulation, ANSYS, and NASTRAN.
• Define architectures and trade studies:
  Develop and review mechanical architectures, risk mitigation strategies, and design trade studies for high‑impact programs.
• Oversee documentation and approvals:
  Review, approve, and sign off on critical technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and analysis reports.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally:
  Lead mechanical requirements development with systems engineering, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Lead technical reviews and anomaly boards:
  Chair design reviews, anomaly resolution boards, and customer‑facing technical discussions.
• Support suppliers and external partners:
  Provide oversight on supplier designs, requirement compliance, and acceptance of delivered hardware.
• Investigate and resolve failures:
  Lead root cause investigations for complex failures and drive corrective action implementation.
• Mentor engineers and shape best practices:
  Guide senior and mid‑level engineers and promote mechanical engineering standards and lessons learned across programs.
• Support proposals and technology initiatives:
  Contribute to proposal efforts, technical roadmaps, and long‑term technology development strategies.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required;
  Master’s Degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in aerospace, spaceflight, or defense systems.
• Expert proficiency in Solid Works and related CAD tools for complex assemblies and production drawings.
• Advanced experience with FEA using Solid Works Simulation, ANSYS, and/or NASTRAN.
• Electronic packaging design experience required.
• Deep understanding of environmental and structural design considerations, including shock, vibration, thermal, and fatigue.
• Knowledge of applicable standards such as MIL, NASA, and GEVS.
• Proven ability to lead technically complex programs and influence cross‑functional teams.
• Experience mentoring engineers and shaping technical development across an organization.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and engineering judgment skills.
• Hands‑on lab experience assembling and disassembling hardware.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Experience with satellite hardware, space environments, or other high‑reliability systems strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

The starting base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $180,000 per year
, depending on the candidate’s job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to a competitive base salary, Innoflight offers a well‑rounded compensation package that includes a Profit‑Sharing Bonus and a Cash Performance Bonus to reward both…