Demo

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Leonardo DRS
San Diego, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
Job ID: 113496

DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.

Job Summary

The Senior Mechanical Engineer at Daylight will be responsible for supporting the design and analysis of lasers, robotics, tooling and fixtures. They should have a strong understanding of robust opto-mechanical design practices including precision mechanism, kinematics, lasers, and thermal control. They will support the design, analysis, documentation and testing of optical/laser products, systems, and/or subsystems. Working with a multi-disciplinary design team, they will execute on optical and mechanical modeling, prototyping, calculations, FEA, and testing. The successful candidate would be able to compile/review data and perform both optical and mechanical analyses (hand calculations, FEA, STOP) to make design decisions and implement them in CAD/Documentation. The Sr. Mechanical engineer will develop optical alignment processes for automation. Along with design, they will conduct formal reviews, support failure analyses and proposals. They should additionally be able to work independently, be flexible, and be receptive to ideas and feedback.

Job Responsibilities

  • Involved with the design, fabrication and modification of mechanical and/or electro mechanical components, sub-systems and systems. May include Mechanical Analysis, Aerodynamics/Fluids, Thermal, Fluid Systems, Mechanical Packaging, or others. Evaluate and recommend design approaches to meet production requirements for new or improved products or services. Investigate solutions to product or process problems.
  • Responsible for leading group of engineers on a technical activity and completion of activity on time and budget
  • Design, develop, analyze, document and support testing of products, systems or subsystems
  • May use computer-aided engineering or other design/analysis software in the performance of assignments. Review customer specifications and requirements, and under direction, develop designs to best support them, including cost as a key design variable
  • Provide budget, cost and schedule input for design assignments
  • Specify and evaluate supplier components, subsystems and services
  • Drive the program design to cost and design for manufacture requirements
  • Develop prototypes to retire key development risks
  • Communicate clearly (written and oral) with other company personnel and the customer as required
  • Participate in preparation of proposals
  • Provide technical knowledge and assistance to other engineers and support personnel
  • Lead and direct the work of others as assigned
  • Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
  • Attend appropriate engineering, customer or business meetings
  • Lead less-experienced engineers

The ideal candidate will have

  • Laser packaging experience: soldering, wire bonding, lid welding, adhesive bonding, and hermeticity testing
  • Robotic automation for optical alignment experience
  • Optical metrology design experience
  • Experience with CAD software package; SolidWorks and PDM Works preferred. Experience with FEA package; ANSYS Structural and Icepak preferred.
  • Experience single mode, multimode, and polarization maintaining fiber

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 5 years of experience
  • Fluency in technologies and application domain
  • Ability to lead a technical group independently

The salary range for this position is $107,089.00/year- $166,255.50/year This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

  • Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary : $107,089 - $166,256

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