Director, Mechanical Engineering

About the role

This role involves leading and expanding the Mechanical Engineering team while actively participating in product design and development. It's a leadership position for an experienced engineer who enjoys tackling complex technical challenges and building strong teams. You will guide the technical direction for mechanical systems and oversee engineers developing precision optomechanical hardware for advanced sensing platforms.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Direct the creation of intricate mechanical and optomechanical systems, including telescope structures, optical support assemblies, mechanisms, and precision instruments.
• Cultivate, guide, and manage a high-performing team of mechanical engineers at various experience levels.
• Oversee mechanical engineering execution across multiple development programs, balancing technical quality, timelines, and business objectives.
• Conduct design reviews, perform engineering trade-offs, and offer technical guidance throughout the product's lifespan.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering leadership to define technical roadmaps, organizational growth strategies, and engineering priorities.
• Supervise structural, thermal, vibration, and tolerance analyses to ensure designs meet performance criteria.
• Assist with prototyping, integration, testing, manufacturing, and production by resolving difficult technical issues.
• Support the selection of suppliers, fabrication partners, and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Implement engineering processes, design standards, documentation procedures, and quality expectations to facilitate team growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience designing complex mechanical systems for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-performance hardware sectors.
• Experience leading mechanical engineering teams while actively contributing technically.
• Experience leading and collaborating with diverse functional teams.
• Proven track record of developing products from initial concept through prototyping, validation, manufacturing, and production.
• Expert proficiency with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or similar.
• Strong comprehension of FEA, GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, precision machining, fabrication, and assembly.
• Experience leading technical design reviews and guiding engineers through complex design issues.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across multidisciplinary teams.

Skills & tools

• SolidWorks
• Siemens NX
• FEA
• GD&T
• Tolerance analysis
• DFM/DFA
• Precision machining
• Fabrication
• Assembly