Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer

Summary:

Creates complex designs for aircraft modifications and installations related to mechanical systems—including air conditioning, ventilation, smoke detection, equipment cooling, oxygen, potable water, wastewater, vacuum waste, and refrigerant systems—ensuring fit, form, and function meet customer requirements, quality standards, FAA regulations, project schedules, and budget objectives using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs complex modifications of mechanical systems installations.
• Designs system schematics and architecture to meet requirements and function of system.
• Analyzes and interprets subsystem and project specifications.
• Selects materials for mechanical designs based on structural needs and materials specifications. Works with materials suppliers and orchestrates material testing when needed.
• Applies experience and knowledge and works with Manufacturing Engineers to optimize designs for reduced parts counts, reduced manufacturing costs, reduced assembly error, and other factors affecting production cost and quality.
• Understands Bills of Materials, assembly concepts, and fabrication specifications.
• Ensures designs meet customer criteria, quality standards, and FAA requirements.
• Adheres to budget and project schedules.
• Provides design guidance and mentorship to other engineering personnel.
• Maintains current knowledge in mechanical systems design practices, materials, components, and software design tools. Independently finds or creates solutions to problems requiring research, resourcefulness, and creativity.
• Provides liaison engineering support.
• Supports aircraft testing preparation and test plan/report development.
• Maintains regular attendance, including being at work, being on time to work, and working full shifts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate adaptability, communication, dependability, initiative, teamwork, work quality, judgment, planning and organization, and job knowledge.

Summary of Education, Experience & Certification:

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, a minimum of 8 years relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Aviation background and aircraft interior experience required.

Employees working on programs subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations must qualify as a US Person, defined as a US Citizen, a Permanent Resident who does not work for a foreign company, foreign government, or foreign governmental agency or organization, or a political asylee for legal compliance purposes.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong Computer-Aided Drafting/Design skills, both 3D (Inventor preferred) and 2D (AutoCAD).
• Familiarity with industry-standard practices, fasteners, materials, and component parts, including the ability to search for and specify new supplier parts.
• Understanding of manufacturing methodologies, design-for-manufacturing and assembly, costing, and material selection.
• Strong knowledge of industry design, documentation, and drafting (ANSI Y14.5) standards.
• Ability to check engineering drawings for fit, form, and function.
• Ability to meet high expectations for strict schedules, budgets, and technical solutions with minimal margin of error.
• Ability to adapt to tailored processes designed for prototype engineering versus production engineering.
• Broad and diverse knowledge of multiple mechanical disciplines, including hydraulic systems such as potable water, wastewater, and coolant systems; pneumatic systems such as air conditioning, ventilation, and vacuum waste systems; and safety systems such as smoke detection, oxygen, and equipment cooling systems.
• Ability to work independently and cross-functionally as part of an established and growing team.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to sit for extended periods, use hands to lift or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, and maintain close and color vision with the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Ability to work outside core business hours as required.

The expected WA salary range for this position is between $109,000.00 and $150,000.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, education, location, and other factors permitted by law. Benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), life insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) savings plan with company match.