Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanisms

The Role

Mach Industries is seeking a Senior Mechanisms Engineer to design, analyze, prototype, and deliver mechanical mechanisms for next-generation aerospace and defense platforms.

In this hands-on role, you will own mechanism development from initial concept and kinematic architecture through detailed design, prototyping, testing, and production release. You will develop moving assemblies that meet demanding requirements for performance, reliability, mass, packaging, and environmental survivability while optimizing for manufacturability, assembly, cost, and production scalability.

You will work closely with mechanical, structures, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test engineering teams to integrate mechanisms into larger vehicle systems. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical fundamentals with practical experience designing, building, and troubleshooting complex moving hardware in a fast-paced development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design and development of mechanisms, from early CAD concepts to functional prototypes, drawing releases including GD&T, and eventually mass production.
• Design and analyze linkages, pivots, joints, bearings, shafts, gears, cams, latches, hinges, deployable assemblies and other mechanisms to meet program requirements.
• Define requirements for and select actuators, motors, and other drive systems to meet required profiles, torques, speeds, and positioning requirements.
• Drive manufacturability, part selection, and tolerance stack-up decisions (GD&T) for scalable production.
• Design fixtures and tooling to manufacture, assembly, inspect, qualify, and test mechanism assemblies
• Perform analytical modeling and simulation (kinematics and FEA) to evaluate mechanism system performance, guide design decisions, and inform trade studies.
• Work cross functionally to establish mechanism requirements, schedules, and interface control documents (ICDs)
• Ability to support critical development and test milestones, including occasional extended hours and weekends as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on designing and prototyping moving, mechanism systems
• Strong skills in 3D modeling with CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, etc.) including expertise in drafting and GD&T per ASME Y14.5
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including kinematics, force and torque transmission, bearings and joints, fits and clearances, tolerance stack-ups, and structural load paths.
• Demonstrated experience taking mechanisms from concept through detailed design, prototyping, functional testing, and design iteration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience developing mechanisms for aerospace vehicles, UAVs, robotics, deployable systems, flight controls, or other mass- and volume-constrained applications.
• Experience analyzing mechanism kinematics, dynamic loads, friction, wear, fatigue, and tolerance sensitivity.
• Experience with mechanism reliability, life-cycle testing, environmental qualification, vibration, shock, and temperature extremes.
• Experience integrating mechanical mechanisms with electric, electromechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuation systems.
• Experience designing for cross discipline impact including aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, or thermal management
• Experience with programming or scripting in Python, MATLAB, C++, or equivalent tools for engineering calculations, kinematic modeling, simulation, or test data analysis.

Additional Requirements

• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Pay and benefits

At Mach, we believe that compensation is more than just a paycheck. It's a comprehensive package designed to reward the time, skills, and expertise you bring to our team. We are committed to offering competitive compensation that is equitable, transparent, and aligned with market trends.

Key Elements of Our Compensation Philosophy

• Competitive Salaries: We continuously research market rates to ensure our salaries are competitive with those in our industry and geographic location.
• Performance-Based Incentives: Our bonus structure is tied to both individual and company performance, creating a win-win scenario that motivates our team members to excel.
• Equity Participation: We offer stock options or equity to employees, ensuring that you share in the success and growth of the company.
• Benefit Packages: Our benefits include healthcare, dental and vision plans, retirement savings, and paid time off, because we understand that your well-being extends beyond the office.
• Professional Development: We allocate funds for continuing education, training, and career growth.
• Transparency: We are committed to openness about our compensation tiers and how decisions are made, ensuring trust and mutual respect.

By joining Mach, you're not just accepting a job-you're becoming a key part of a team that values your contributions and invests in your growth. Together, we aim to create a rewarding environment that sets the stage for long-term success.

Data Privacy

Disclosures

This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach's total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.