Mechanical/Robotics Engineer
Indexed description
The ideal candidate is comfortable both at the CAD workstation and on the bench — someone who can derive kinematic equations in the morning and help assemble a gimbal in the afternoon.
Requirements
Mechanical Design & CAD
- Design mechanical assemblies, structural components, and electromechanical housings using SolidWorks or CREO
- Design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) across CNC, sheet metal, and COTS-integration workflows
- Derive and validate kinematic equations for multi-DOF mechanisms including slider-crank, four-bar, and serial/parallel linkages
- Develop forward and inverse kinematic models; implement rotation matrices, homogeneous transforms, and Euler/quaternion representations
- Design and analyze motion profiles for actuator selection and trajectory planning
- Support integration of brushless motors, ballscrew drives, and servo systems into precision mechanisms
- Lead mechanical design of two-axis and three-axis gimbaled sensor payloads (EO, IR, LRF)
- Perform bearing selection, torque budgets, and load path analysis for gimbal structures
- Collaborate with electrical and embedded teams on cable routing, connector selection, and slip ring integration
- Validate pointing accuracy requirements through analysis and prototype testing
- Perform FEA-based structural analysis using SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalent tools
- Execute thermal analysis for electronic enclosures and dissipating subassemblies; define thermal mitigation strategies
- Develop and execute DVT/EVT test plans; document results against design requirements
- Select motors (brushless DC, stepper, servo) based on torque, speed, inertia, and duty cycle requirements
- Size gearboxes, couplings, and drive trains; verify margin against dynamic loading conditions
- Generate motor selection analysis reports suitable for design reviews
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field
- 5+ years of relevant engineering experience with at least 2 years in defense, robotics, or precision hardware development
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or CREO (3D modeling, assemblies, drawings, simulation)
- Demonstrated experience designing gimbal or pan-tilt mechanisms for optical or sensor payloads
- Strong foundation in kinematics: rotation matrices, Denavit-Hartenberg parameters, transforms
- Experience with motor/actuator selection methodologies and drive system sizing
- Ability to perform and document structural FEA and thermal analysis
- Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain; interim acceptable for non-CUI work)
- Strong written and verbal communication; ability to produce engineering analysis packages for CDRLs and design reviews
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Robotics
- Experience with ROS 2 or equivalent middleware in hardware-in-the-loop contexts
- Familiarity with MIL-SPEC environmental requirements (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461)
- Experience with ATAK/WinTAK plugin integration or defense C2 systems
- Background in UGV, UAV, or unmanned systems development
401k with a match up to 6%
10 Holiday
Up to 4 weeks of PTO.
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