Mechanical Engineer

DESE is seeking a Mechanical Engineer in Huntsville, AL. The Mechanical Engineer supports the design, analysis, integration, and validation of advanced aerospace and defense systems throughout the product development lifecycle. This role performs engineering analyses and develops mechanical solutions that influence system performance, reliability, and mission success. The engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support hardware development from concept through design, qualification, manufacturing, testing, and production.

The ideal candidate possesses experience in mechanical design, structural analysis, thermal analysis, dynamics, or related engineering disciplines and enjoys solving complex technical challenges in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, analysis, and integration of aerospace and defense hardware throughout the product lifecycle.
• Perform mechanical engineering analyses including structural, thermal, dynamic, vibration, shock, and other engineering evaluations as required.
• Develop analytical and simulation models to evaluate system performance under operational and environmental loading conditions.
• Conduct engineering trade studies and provide technical recommendations to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Develop and evaluate finite element models to support structural and thermal analyses.
• Support mechanical design activities including component development, packaging, mechanisms, and hardware integration.
• Collaborate with systems, structural, manufacturing, electrical, software, and test engineering teams to support integrated product development.
• Utilize industry-standard engineering tools to perform analyses, support design decisions, and validate system performance.
• Develop automation scripts and data processing tools using MATLAB, Python, or equivalent programming languages.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation, presentations, and customer deliverables supporting design reviews and program milestones.
• Support prototype development, system integration, environmental testing, qualification, verification, and correlation of analytical models with test data.
• Investigate engineering anomalies and support root cause and corrective action efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience supporting mechanical engineering, structural analysis, thermal analysis, product development, or related engineering activities.
• Experience performing engineering analyses using finite element methods, thermal modeling, dynamics, or other analytical techniques.
• Experience using one or more engineering software packages such as ANSYS, NX/Simcenter, NASTRAN, Thermal Desktop, SINDA, MSC ADAMS, LS-DYNA, or equivalent.
• Experience with CAD software such as Siemens NX, Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals including mechanics of materials, heat transfer, dynamics, structural analysis, or thermodynamics.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or equivalent programming languages for engineering analysis and automation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance; U.S. Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace, missile, defense, or space programs.
• Experience with mechanical hardware design and product development.
• Experience correlating analytical models with structural, thermal, vibration, or environmental test data.
• Familiarity with qualification, environmental, vibration, thermal vacuum, or flight testing.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or digital engineering environments.
• Knowledge of military, aerospace, and industry engineering standards.
• Experience supporting hardware from concept through production.

About DESE

For the past 43 years, DESE has provided industry-leading technical and engineering solutions in the fields of Defense, Energy, Space, and Environment. As a small, family-oriented business, DESE provides a compelling benefits package including a generous profit-sharing plan, competitive salaries, and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve complex and engaging problems.

Why employees love working for DESE:

At DESE, we are committed to creating a company that is known for its respect and care for employees. We understand that happy employees are what keeps our business going and we strive to provide the best opportunities for each individual working on our team! Here are a few reasons you will love working here:

Competitive health, dental and vision insurance with affordable premiums

Flexible work schedules

Two different flexible spending account options

Company paid life insurance with options for employee paid additional

Performance bonus program

Education reimbursement program

Company paid personal leave for approved philanthropic activities

Vacation, Sick & Holiday leave

Robust 401k profit sharing plan

Opportunities for internal promotions

Employee referral incentive program

Rewards and gifts for service anniversaries

Disability Accommodation for Applicants - DESE Research, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in its job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, youmay use the following alternative email address or phone number to contact us about your interest in employment with us: hrandsecurity@dese.com or 256-837-8004x123.