Mechanical Engineer – Product Design & Development

CFD Research Corporation•Dayton, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

CFD Research is seeking a Mechanical Engineer specializing in product development and mechanical design to contribute throughout the product lifecycle, from concept generation through detailed design, analysis, prototyping, and transition to production. The engineer will support and lead mechanical work for ruggedized aerospace and military products, including structures, enclosures, thermal solutions, mechanisms, interface hardware, and electronics packaging. The role also involves creating and maintaining drawing templates, documentation, and manufacturing-ready outputs. The position is suited to an analytical, hands-on designer working in a fast-paced R&D environment. The engineer will develop mechanical solutions, perform structural and thermal analyses, and use practical engineering skills alongside simulation and modeling to deliver robust products for mission-critical applications. The role is 100% onsite and may be based in Dayton, Ohio (preferred), Huntsville, Alabama, or Hollywood, Alabama.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent advanced 3D CAD tools.
Experience using FEA simulation tools such as Ansys Mechanical, SolidWorks Simulation, or equivalent for structural or thermal analysis.
Experience designing mechanical assemblies for electronics, electromechanical systems, or rugged hardware.
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermal fundamentals, stack-up analysis, GD&T, and tolerance analysis.
Familiarity with aerospace or military mechanical design requirements and environmental qualification methodologies.
Experience using mechanical laboratory tools such as calipers, force gauges, and thermal sensors for hands-on verification.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on structural or thermal design.
Experience designing ruggedized assemblies and thermal pathways for mission-critical systems.
Aerospace, defense, or high-reliability product development experience.
Working knowledge of machining processes, sheet metal design, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems, configuration management, and structured documentation workflows.
Understanding of EMI/EMC mechanical considerations, including shielding, gasketing, enclosure grounding, and conductive coatings.
Experience developing or maintaining engineering drawing templates, documentation standards, and mechanical design guidelines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, commitment to quality, clear communication and technical writing skills, ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams, and enthusiasm for innovation and mission-oriented engineering.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical product development and design from concept through production release.
Design and model mechanical assemblies, including enclosures, structural parts, mechanisms, brackets, mounting hardware, and electronics packaging.
Perform stack-up analysis, apply GD&T, and conduct tolerance analysis and detailed dimensioning to support reliable fit and manufacturability.
Conduct or support structural, shock, vibration, modal, and thermal analyses for compliance with MIL-STD-810 and related standards.
Create mechanical documentation packages, including drawings, drawing templates, bills of materials, and configuration-controlled artifacts under AS9100 processes.
Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to support efficient, quality-focused production.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams throughout development.
Develop thermal management strategies, including conduction paths, heat sinking, interface materials, and airflow considerations.
Support ruggedization, including sealing, gasketing, coatings, shock and vibration protection, and environmental hardening.
Assist with prototype development, machining, and vendor engagement.
Participate in design reviews, verification testing, and root-cause analysis.
Ensure mechanical designs meet system-level requirements, environmental constraints, manufacturability goals, and reliability expectations.

Benefits

Employer matching 401(k)
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Company-paid leave
Compensation time
Parental leave
Long-term disability
Short-term disability
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
Life insurance
Twice-yearly performance appraisals
Annual pay increases based on corporate goals, personal development, performance, and achievements
Group and individual bonuses for exceptional performance