Mechanical Engineer

DESE Research is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help scale and improve automated manufacturing processes for advanced aerospace hardware. In this role, you will apply your mechanical and controls engineering expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to quality to develop and optimize automated equipment and tooling in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical design, hardware development, and visualization using 3D CAD tools.

• Create, interpret, and review detailed mechanical drawings with proper GD&T.

• Manage the entire project lifecycle, including requirements intake, design, construction, commissioning, and ongoing support.

• Develop hardware designs and process flows for innovative automated equipment and tooling in both simulated and real-world settings.

• Design custom automation equipment such as robotic end-of-arm tools, auxiliary material-handling equipment, structural components, and complete cell/system layouts including safety guarding and enclosures.

• Provide production support for sophisticated manufacturing equipment and perform root-cause analysis to drive continuous process improvements.

• Lead project management activities, including vendor and supplier coordination.

• Support initiatives to improve manufacturing reliability and efficiency through automation by developing technical roadmaps and implementing solutions.

• Integrate mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and related components into unified systems.

• Enhance existing systems for optimal performance and reliability.

• Conduct feasibility studies, prototyping, and process simulations.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure system requirements are fully met.

Required Qualifications

• 4 years of experience with "from scratch" design, procurement, assembly, commissioning, and maintenance of automated tooling or equipment.

• 4 years of experience using CAD with advanced understanding of, and demonstrated ability to implement, GD&T on 2D drawings through design, peer review, and engineering release.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and engineering fundamentals.

• Hands-on problem-solving skills with a focus on design and process simplification.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

• High attention to detail, ensuring precision and accuracy in all engineering tasks.

• Familiarity with control systems, robotics, and automated industrial equipment, machines, and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.

• Experience in manufacturing and/or integration of automated equipment (preferably with an automation systems integrator).

• Experience with ANSYS or similar simulation software for structural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), or other multiphysics simulations.

• Exposure to controls and automation software.

• Experience with PLC, CNC, and robotic programming and modification.

• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C/C , or MATLAB.

• Ability to interpret and review electrical drawings.

• Mechanical design experience for process control systems (e.g., welding, machining, drilling, surface finishing, forming, material handling, NDT, metrology, or machine vision).

• Familiarity with industrial automation solutions and best practices.

Security Clearance Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be eligible to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

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, you may 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.