Weapon System Mechanical Engineer

Weapon System Mechanical Engineer

Job Description:

Kratos Defense Rocket Support Services is seeking a highly capable mechanical engineer to lead the design, analysis, integration, testing, and production transition of weapon systems and flight-critical aerospace hardware. This position requires a strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis of high?temperature, complex flight environments; multidisciplinary coordination with electrical, RF, and systems engineering teams; and demonstrated leadership across a hardware product's full lifecycle from concept development through flight testing and into sustained production. May require up to 25% travel to support launch operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead mechanical design and analysis efforts for weapon system hardware, missile sub-assemblies and flight-critical components across design, fabrication, integration, and testing phases.

• Conduct and review structural, thermal and CFD analyses to validate hardware survivability, thermal management performance, and environmental robustness across full flight profiles.

• Define, execute, and manage hardware test plans, including survivability testing, environmental qualification and requirements verification for customer milestones.

• Evaluate airframe structures, radome/window materials, electronics housings, and mechanical interfaces for manufacturability, assembly efficiency, cost, and durability.

• Lead cross-functional engineering teams supporting hardware development for weapon systems flight demonstration testing.

• Coordinate subsystem trade studies focusing on performance, cost, form factor, structural margin and integration risk to inform architecture and design decisions.

• Serve as technical interface with customers, program management, and senior leadership; preparing and delivering technical briefings, status reports, and milestone reviews.

• Lead risk identification and mitigation planning, performing technical and schedule risk assessments and advising program management on impacts and risk?reduction strategies.

• Support weapon system flight demonstrations by monitoring test events, analyzing post?flight performance data and generating test reports.

• Review component and part vendor capabilities for performance, cost competitiveness, and readiness for prototype and production hardware builds.

• Support transition of prototype weapon system hardware into manufacturable production ready configurations

• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design practices, laboratory procedures, engineering tools, and professional development.



JOB SKILLS:

• Mechanical design and analysis of aerospace hardware for weapon systems environments.

• Structural, thermal, and CFD analysis experience supporting survivability and flight-environment evaluation

• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of weapons system hardware.

• Development and execution of test plans, verification procedures and milestone briefings.

• Experience conducting subsystem trade studies involving performance, cost, manufacturability, and risk.

• Strong communication skills with customers, program managers, prime contractors, and military stakeholders.

• Ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams through design, build and test lifecycles.

• Familiarity with antenna radome design, flight?structure materials, electronic system packaging and thermal management solutions.

• Ability to generate high-quality technical documentation, briefings, status reports, and risk assessments.

• Active DoD Secret Clearance

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

• 8+ years relevant professional experience

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement