Design Release Engineer- Rotating Components

Job Description

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Rotating Component Design Release Engineer is responsible for ensuring the successful design, development, validation, and release of rotating engine components used within propulsion systems. This role focuses on turbomachinery hardware including turbine wheels, compressor components, shafts, bearings, seals, and associated rotating assemblies.

This role owns component designs from concept through production release, ensuring designs meet performance, structural, manufacturing, and reliability requirements. The role ensures rotating hardware is configuration-controlled, technically mature, and ready for production, test, and customer delivery.

This position works closely with Design Engineering, Product Engineering, Performance Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure rotating components are robust, manufacturable, and capable of meeting engine performance requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Rotating Component Design & Development

• Own the design and development of rotating turbomachinery components, including:
• Turbine wheels and disks
• Compressor rotors and impellers
• Shafts and couplings
• Bearings and bearing support structures
• Seals and rotating interfaces
• Support Design Engineering in the development of 3D CAD models and 2D engineering drawings
• Define component best practices based on customer flow down requirements and internal methodologies as they relate to geometry, tolerances, and interface requirements
• Apply continuous improvement methods to refine component design (design best practices based on learnings) and processes
• Ensure designs meet structural, thermal, and performance requirements
  
  

Design Release & Configuration Control

• Ensure engineering drawings, models, and specifications are released in accordance with configuration management standards
• Maintain design documentation including:
• Engineering drawings
• Bills of material (BOM)
• Design calculations
• Interface documentation
• Technical specifications
• Support Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and Engineering Change Notices (ECN)
• Ensure designs are configuration-controlled within PLM/PDM systems
• Manage and present component status & schedule during internal reviews relative Process of Engineering milestones (Change Control Boards, Issues Resolution Board, Gate Reviews)
  
  

Structural & Mechanical Analysis

• Perform/Coordinate necessary structural analysis for rotating components including:
• Stress analysis
• Fatigue life evaluation
• Rotor dynamics considerations
• Thermal effects
• Collaborate with CAE/FEA engineers to validate component integrity
  
  

Design for Manufacturing & Assembly

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure components are manufacturable and producible
• Support machining strategy, tolerancing, and inspection requirements
• Participate in design reviews related to manufacturability and assembly
• Support production readiness reviews and first article inspections
• Support on-site supplier audits
  
  

Test & Validation Support

• Support component and system testing activities
• Evaluate test data to confirm rotating component performance
• Support failure analysis and troubleshooting of rotating hardware
• Provide engineering support during development and production testing
  
  

Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in post-test design reviews and own the execution of root cause investigations related to rotating component performance or failures
• Support corrective actions and design improvements
• Capture lessons learned to improve future design robustness and manufacturability
  
  

Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Design Engineering
• Product Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Performance Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Test Engineering
• Quality Engineering
• Support design reviews, technical risk assessments, and engineering decisions
• Communicate design intent and technical requirements to cross-functional teams
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct supervisory responsibility
• May provide technical guidance to junior engineers or technicians
  
  

Experience And Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Strong understanding of rotating machinery and turbomachinery design
• Knowledge of mechanical design principles including stress, fatigue, and thermal effects
• Ability to interpret and create engineering drawings with GD&T
• Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks preferred)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR)
  
  

Preferred

• Experience designing turbine, compressor, or rotating propulsion hardware
• Familiarity with rotor dynamics and high-speed rotating systems
• Familiarity with electric motors and power generation
• Experience with FEA tools for structural validation
• Experience with CFD tools or interpreting CFD results
• Experience in AS9100-regulated environments
  
  

Required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• 3–8 years of experience in mechanical design or turbomachinery engineering
  
  

Preferred

• Experience with propulsion systems or aerospace rotating hardware
• Experience supporting development and production programs
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments
• Interaction with production hardware and test equipment
• Ability to work in manufacturing areas and test facilities
• May be required to lift materials or components up to 50 lbs
  
  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 0–15% as required to support supplier visits, testing, or program activities
  
  

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

Job Benefits

• 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
  
  

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

EEO Is The Law

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If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

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