This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative aerospace product development programs while working directly with customers, aircraft operators, and industry partners. As a key member of the engineering team, you will influence product strategy, customer success, manufacturing improvements, and the development of next-generation aircraft lighting solutions.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead aircraft installation programs and drive the mechanical development of new aerospace lighting products. This role serves as both a technical leader and program manager, responsible for guiding projects from concept through certification, production launch, and customer implementation.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will oversee aircraft-specific installations, lead product development initiatives, support manufacturing improvements, and serve as a primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams. This position requires strong engineering expertise, project leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple programs in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Travel of up to 30% is required to support customer meetings, aircraft surveys, installations, product testing, and technical support activities.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Product Development

• Lead mechanical engineering projects from concept development through certification, production release, and product launch.
• Provide technical leadership in the development of new aerospace lighting products and installation solutions.
• Translate customer requirements into practical, manufacturable, and certifiable product designs.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, mechanical analyses, installation documentation, and technical records.
• Conduct aircraft surveys to gather installation, dimensional, interface, and customer-specific design data.
• Support product certification and qualification efforts by preparing technical documentation and coordinating engineering deliverables.
• Research components, materials, manufacturing methods, and installation requirements to support product development and customer programs.

Program Management & Customer Support

• Serve as Lead Engineer and Program Manager for customer installation programs.
• Define project scope, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and technical requirements.
• Coordinate customer communications and provide technical leadership throughout program execution.
• Support proposal development, technical reviews, certification activities, and installation planning.
• Oversee installation activities and provide field support through project completion.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required to support customer programs and business development activities.

Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Lead design-for-manufacturability initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Quality teams to optimize new and existing products.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction through design simplification, material optimization, supplier alternatives, and process improvements.
• Support supplier evaluations, alternate sourcing initiatives, and obsolescence management efforts.
• Participate in prototype builds, first article inspections, and production launch activities.
• Conduct root cause investigations and implement corrective actions for design, production, supplier, and field-related issues.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, technical documents, and engineering releases.

Business Development & Technical Proposals

• Support proposal development and customer quotations through technical analysis and engineering planning.
• Review customer specifications, RFPs, and RFQs to evaluate engineering scope, certification requirements, technical risks, and project assumptions.
• Develop innovative and cost-effective design solutions that support customer value and business growth.
• Provide technical input on product configurations, installation approaches, certification strategies, and project execution plans.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of mechanical product design experience.
• Minimum 3 years of SolidWorks 3D CAD experience.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, manufacturing processes, and engineering documentation.
• Experience managing engineering projects and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Proven ability to work independently and drive projects to successful completion.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working directly with customers and external stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 30%, including international travel when required.

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Aerospace product design experience.
• Experience with FAA certification requirements and aerospace standards such as DO-160 or MIL-STD-461.
• Experience with sheet metal design and fabrication.
• Experience designing plastic molded components.
• Field engineering and aircraft installation experience.
• Technical writing experience, including specifications, test procedures, proposals, certification documentation, installation instructions, and operating manuals.
• Experience utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to improve engineering or business processes.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to identify, communicate, and mitigate technical and program risks.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality engineering standards.
• Must be eligible to obtain any required U.S. Government authorizations in accordance with ITAR and EAR regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office, manufacturing, and aircraft environments.
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb stairs, kneel, and perform repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel by automobile and commercial aircraft, including domestic and international travel.