Director, Mechanical Engineering
On-siteLos Angeles, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead the design and development of complex mechanical and optomechanical systems, including telescope structures, optical support assemblies, and precision instrumentation. Build and mentor a high-performing team of engineers while owning execution across multiple development programs, balancing technical quality, schedule, and business priorities. Guide structural, thermal, vibration, and tolerance analyses; perform engineering trade studies; and support prototyping, integration, testing, manufacturing, and production by solving challenging technical issues. Establish engineering processes, design standards, and documentation practices to enable team scale. Partner with leadership to define technical roadmaps and organizational growth plans.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
- 10+ years designing complex mechanical systems for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-performance hardware industries
- Experience leading mechanical engineering teams while remaining an active technical contributor
- Experience leading and collaborating with cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated success developing products from concept through prototype, validation, manufacturing, and production
- Expert-level proficiency with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or equivalent
- Strong understanding of FEA, GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, precision machining, fabrication, and assembly
- Experience leading technical design reviews and mentoring engineers through complex design challenges
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across multidisciplinary teams
Desired Qualifications
- Passion for building products, solving difficult engineering problems, and developing exceptional engineering teams
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