What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineer, Firearm Optics & Hands-On Prototyping (Orofino, ID; Relocation) position at Pave Talent?
๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐-๐ผ๐ป ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐, ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ, ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ-๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ด๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐๐ฏ๐ถ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐'๐น๐น ๐ฑ๐ผ
Up front, so you can decide fast: this is a hands-on engineering role at a US defense manufacturer that designs weapon sights, red dots, magnifiers, and aiming systems for military, law enforcement, and commercial firearms markets. You will design and build hardware that mounts on firearms, and you will field-test it on the range. For a real shooter or a firearms and optics enthusiast, that is the whole appeal: you would be engineering the gear you already care about. If working in and around guns is not for you, this role will not be a fit, and it is better for both of us to know that now.
The work itself is prototype-driven mechanical engineering. You will design, build, test, and refine rugged mechanical systems and assemblies that go into advanced electro-mechanical and electro-optical products. One day you are designing parts in CAD, the next you are running 3D printers, finishing prototype parts, modifying components on the mill with taps, hand tools, and a Dremel, assembling hardware, and heading to the range to validate performance. You will print parts nearly every day, iterate fast, solve fitment problems firsthand, and make real-time engineering calls that shape the product.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ๐'๐น๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
โข Your hands stay on the hardware. This is not a sit-in-a-cubicle-all-day job. The team designs, builds, assembles, tests, breaks, improves, and repeats, fast.
โข Real ownership. You get direct input and influence over product performance and direction, not a narrow slice of someone else's design.
โข You engineer products you would actually use. Field testing happens on the range, not just on a bench.
โข A team that builds together. You will work alongside an experienced group of optical, electrical, and mechanical engineers developing advanced products.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
We care more about hands-on aptitude and drive than years on a resume. If you love building real hardware, apply.
โข A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
โข Comfort in 3D CAD, plus a real willingness to get on the shop floor: 3D printing, machining, hand tools, assembly, and test-fitting.
โข A prototyping mindset. You iterate quickly, solve fitment and tolerance problems in the real world, and learn by building.
โข A genuine interest in firearms, optics, or shooting sports. The engineers who thrive here care personally about what they build.
๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ธ๐
โข 401(k) with a 6% company match, vested after your first contribution.
โข Benefits start on day one.
โข 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
โข Relocation assistance for highly qualified candidates.
โข Employee purchase program on company products.
๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐
โข On-site in Orofino, Idaho. This is a hands-on role, so it is not remote.
โข US Citizenship is required. The work is subject to US export-control regulations.
โข Offers are contingent on a background check, drug screen, and employment and reference checks.
Salary : $115,000 - $126,000