Demo

Mechanical Engineer ll

Kratos Defense
Columbia, MT Full Time
POSTED ON 10/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/21/2026
Job Description:

Shift: First Shift


Overview:
Nomad Global Communications Solutions is a leading provider of communication and response products serving a wide variety of customers. Our purpose is to be the solution when every minute matters. We seek a candidate that is self-inspired to learn and demonstrates a high degree of customer service while positively contributing to our team.

Mechanical Engineers (ME) work is a critical function in the engineering process, being responsible for taking designs from concept through full production documentation. Accuracy and completeness must be maintained through all levels of design to provide complete Bill of Materials (BOMs) and production worthy CAD models/ drawings to the manufacturing teams. All ME deliverables must meet or exceed Nomad Global Communication Solutions' standards of excellence.

Mechanical Engineers must apply practical engineering science and technologies to designs. These include application of fluid mechanics, materials, structures, dynamics, basic electrical theory, and machine component design. Expertise in raw material selection, manufacturing processes (welding, machining, & sheet metal), quality control, and concentration on cost mitigation are also core required competencies.

Depending on level (I-V), Engineers progress from learning foundational engineering practices and supporting designs to independently leading complex platform architectures, mentoring others, and driving technical strategy across the organization.

Career Growth: Mechanical Engineers at Nomad GCS progress through five levels based on demonstrated technical mastery, independence, leadership, and impact. Advancement is supported through mentorship, project ownership, and alignment with Nomad's Core Values.

Organizational Structure: Nomad Engineering is organized into Teams and Disciplines within the Innovative Solutions Division.

Teams:

  • Team 1 (Standards and Modularity): Builds and maintains engineering standards, modules, templates, and rules enabling repeatability and scale.
  • Team 2 (Design): Executes project-level engineering using established standards and less complex custom configurations.
  • Team 3 (Advanced): Develops novel systems and resolves first-of-kind engineering challenges.
  • Team 4 (Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering): Ensures manufacturability, safety, engineering intent, efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout Production.

Disciplines:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • IT Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Software Engineering

A Mechanical Engineer may be temporarily assigned to one or more of the four Teams. These teams include Standards & Modularity, Design Engineering, Advanced Engineering, and/or Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering.

Core Responsibilities - All Levels:

  • Design, develop, and support mechanical systems for Nomad vehicles and platforms.
  • Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, safety standards, and customer requirements.
  • Support manufacturing by answering technical questions, resolving build issues, and improving design clarity.
  • Participate in design reviews, testing, validation, and root cause analysis.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with other Engineering disciplines, Production, Quality, and Project Management teams.
  • Apply continuous improvement principles to improve product quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
  • Uphold and model Nomad Core Values in all work.
  • Create CAD documentation for projects, including top levels assemblies, sub-assemblies, and parts.
  • Use FEA to analyze designs: determine stress, create tests to verify results, document analysis, and change designs as needed to optimize.
  • Create, implement, supervise, and document tests verifying designs meet customer requirements.
  • Complete all analyses, documentation, and drawings required for Production within established time frames as agreed upon by the Operations Team.
  • Communicate with vendors and clients to troubleshoot designs, get information on new designs, and obtain specifications/drawings/models of components.
  • Track and record work hours for each specific project daily.
  • Be willing to travel as needed by Management.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Level Expectations:

Mechanical Engineer ll - Independent Contributor

  • Independently design mechanical subsystems and assemblies for assigned projects.
  • Experience owning mechanical design tasks end-to-end for small to mid-sized subsystems.
  • Create complete, production-ready drawings and documentation.
  • Hands-on involvement with prototype builds and failure investigation.
  • Experience releasing designs to manufacturing and supporting early production.
    • Regular application of codes, standards, and best practices with minimal oversight in designs.
  • Support manufacturing troubleshooting and resolve moderate design issues.
  • Participate actively in design reviews and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Perform basic system-level testing and validation.
  • Demonstrate consistent quality, organization, and accountability in deliverables.
  • Demonstrated ability to estimate effort, manage priorities, and meet engineering schedules.

  • Effective written and verbal communication with manufacturing, supply chain, and peers.
  • Demonstrated design ownership
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • 2-5 years Mechanical Engineering experience.

Progression signal: Can be trusted to deliver correct, manufacturable designs without close supervision.

Basic Knowledge Progression:

  • Level l: Foundational understanding of mechanical theory, documentation, and standards.
  • Level ll: Strong working knowledge of systems, codes, and manufacturing support.
  • Level lll: System-level expertise and troubleshooting mastery.
  • Level lV: Platform-level architecture and technical leadership.
  • Level V: Enterprise-level strategy, innovation, and mentorship.


Experience and Skills:

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred. Degree must be ABET accredited.
  • 2-5 years Mechanical Engineering experience.
  • Must have CAD experience. SolidWorks preferred.

Physical Demands:

  • Ability to stand and sit for extended periods.
  • Manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
  • Occasional climbing or hands-on testing activities.
  • Ability to work in office, shop, and vehicle environments as needed.
  • Ability to work safely around energized systems when required.
  • Must be able to travel as needed on occasion.

Working Environment:

  • Combination of office, production floor, and vehicle-based environments.
  • Exposure to manufacturing noise, electrical/ manufacturing equipment, and testing environments.
  • PPE required when entering production or testing areas.

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
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.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.



From: Kratos Defense

Benefits:

Health Insurance, 401K Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off

Salary : $77,362 - $100,237

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