Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical EngineerJob Description

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will lead concept development, detailed mechanical design, engineering analysis, system integration, and prototype development for next-generation unmanned maritime vessels and mission systems. This role focuses on long-endurance autonomous operations and requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver advanced, mission-critical technologies for government programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical system design and engineering analysis for unmanned maritime vessels and mission systems.
• Conduct pump sizing, fluid flow calculations, and stress analysis to ensure robust and reliable mechanical performance.
• Develop mechanical solutions that enable long-endurance autonomous operations in demanding maritime environments.
• Support system integration activities, including assembly, testing, validation, and demonstrations of autonomous platforms.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, controls, and software engineering teams to ensure seamless system-level integration.
• Apply ABS standards and engineering calculations to design compliant and safe marine systems.
• Create and refine CAD models and engineering drawings, incorporating design for manufacturing principles.
• Own technical, schedule, and cost performance for assigned programs and engineering workstreams.
• Lead interactions with government customers, including technical discussions, reviews, and status updates.
• Manage proposal efforts and program growth initiatives, contributing to technical strategy and solution development.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain activities to drive successful program execution.
• Drive projects from concept development through prototype build, testing, and delivery to customers.
• Identify technical, schedule, and programmatic risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Provide manufacturing support, including resolving build issues and optimizing designs for production.
• Ensure adherence to relevant quality standards such as AS9100 and ISO 9001 in design and development activities.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong background in fluid systems, propulsion, marine systems, aerospace, defense, or robotics.
• Proficiency in mechanical design and fluid systems engineering.
• Expertise in pump sizing, fluid flow calculations, and stress analysis.
• Familiarity with ABS standards and associated engineering calculations.
• Strong CAD modeling skills and ability to produce detailed engineering documentation.
• Experience with systems integration for complex, multidisciplinary engineering programs.
• Demonstrated ability to own technical, schedule, and cost performance on engineering projects.
• 10+ years of program management experience in defense, aerospace, naval, robotics, or advanced technology programs.
• Experience managing complex, government-funded technology development programs.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and technology development lifecycles.
• Knowledge of design for manufacturing and prototype design practices.
• Understanding of quality frameworks such as AS9100 and ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with propulsion systems and materials engineering.
• Working knowledge of GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PMP certification preferred.
• Experience with autonomous systems, robotics, or advanced controls is beneficial.
• background in naval or maritime engineering environments is advantageous.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, execution-driven engineering culture.
• Strong communication skills for leading government customer interactions and cross-functional coordination.
• Proven ability to drive innovation, solve complex technical problems, and influence future program directions.
• Motivation to work on meaningful, highly advanced autonomy initiatives rather than legacy systems.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work environment with approximately three days onsite and two days remote each week. You will join a small, Senior-level engineering team focused on cutting-edge autonomous maritime and mission system technologies. The culture is highly technical, fast-paced, and execution-focused, emphasizing ownership, autonomy, and direct impact on future programs. Engineers work closely with leadership on advanced challenges such as autonomous navigation, unmanned operations, advanced controls, and long-duration autonomous platforms. The environment rewards accountability, innovation, and delivering results, and is best suited for professionals who are motivated by challenging problems and the opportunity to shape new technology development and customer solutions. The primary attraction is the technical work and mission impact rather than corporate amenities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Denver, CO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability but employee does have to pay a portion. 401K is 3% matching after 1 year. 2 weeks PTO to start, but is negotiable. 9 paid holidays.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Denver,CO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 8, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.