Mechanical Engineering Manager

HEICO Corporation•Santa Barbara, CA

About The Position

Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. (SBIR) is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager. SBIR, a subsidiary of HEICO Corporation, specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical (E-O) test instrumentation for military and commercial sensor systems. The company has a high-energy, dynamic culture focused on delivering quality products and services. The Mechanical Engineering Manager role is a hybrid position, involving approximately 25% management and 75% individual contribution. This role is suited for an experienced mechanical engineer skilled in both technical execution and people leadership, aiming to drive engineering excellence and mentor a team.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor's degree (B. S.) in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent from four-year college or university
Five to ten years related experience and/or training
Proven experience in mechanical engineering design roles
Prior experience as a group manager or technical lead
Demonstrated expertise in mechanical design, analysis, and project execution.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience mentoring or guiding other engineers in a technical capacity.
Ability to work independently and drive projects to completion with minimal supervision.
Fluency with SolidWorks design and FEA tools (or equivalent CAD tool)
Must be a US citizen, permanent resident or a person who has been granted asylum; proper documentation required.
Must pass background, reference and ITAR/EAR checks
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Responsibilities

Supervise and mentor a small team of mechanical engineers, providing technical guidance and supporting professional development
Conduct regular performance reviews, set goals, and facilitate growth opportunities for team members
Oversee project timelines, resource allocation, and ensure quality standards are met within the team’s deliverables
Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g. other engineering groups, quality & manufacturing, and sales) to align project objectives and resolve issues
Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new engineers as needed
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and adherence to internal processes and procedures
Execute design, analysis, and development of complex mechanical systems and components, from concept through to production
Serve as the primary mechanical technical expert on assigned projects, performing hands-on engineering work such as CAD modeling, FEA simulations, prototyping, and testing.
Prepare and review engineering documentation, including drawings, BOMs, concept presentations and work instructions and ensure accuracy and compliance of this documentation to internal processes and procedures (e.g. ECO process)
Identify and implement design improvements to optimize performance, cost and manufacturability
Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues and challenges through a products lifecycle, collaborating with other disciplines and departments as needed
Provide work estimates including task breakdown and level of effort for quotes used to generate new business