Principal Mechanical Engineer

The role

You will lead the development of mission-critical hardware from concept to environmental qualification. This includes designing precision mechanisms, ruggedized avionics, and managing the full product lifecycle.

What you will do

• Translate mission needs into functional and operational requirements for electromechanical systems.
• Design and iterate on electromagnetic actuators and intricate mechanisms.
• Develop high-performance avionics enclosures with thermal management and structural survivability.
• Architect test equipment and methodologies for hardware qualification.
• Guide integration efforts and support multidisciplinary teams through system testing.
• Author test plans, procedures, proposals, and program documentation.
• Partner with external suppliers to ensure delivery of conforming hardware.
• Manage manufacturing deviations to maintain quality and schedule.
• Assemble, bring-up, and debug hardware prototypes.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience through the full product lifecycle
• Deep intuition for electromagnetic principles
• Mastery of mechanical load paths and load cases
• Proficiency in sizing analysis for strength, fatigue, and life cycles of actuator components
• Advanced design experience in SolidWorks, Creo, or Inventor
• Fluency in ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards
• Ability to produce high-quality 2D drawings
• Proven track record of qualifying hardware against DO-160 or MIL-STD-810 standards

Nice to have

• Advanced degrees (M.S. or above)
• Experience with JPL, NASA, or DoD programs
• Hands-on familiarity with robotic systems, kinematic mechanisms, and FEA/CFD analysis tools
• Experience designing custom test equipment
• Writing formal test plans and procedures
• Executing complex qualification campaigns
• Detailed knowledge of AGMA Standards
• Gearbox design analysis (ratios, backlash, lubrication)
• Precision fabrication methods including injection molding and machine shop capability
• Experience navigating high-compliance aerospace/DoD programs and fast-paced, lean R&D environments

Benefits

• Medical is 100% covered by the company
• Life Insurance (2x Salary) 100% covered by the company
• Flexible PTO
• 401K
• Financial Wellness Resources

Before you apply

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)

About the company

salientmotion pioneers modular motion technologies for Industrial, Aerospace and Defense. They are located in a new large hangar facility in Hawthorne, CA.