Mechanical/Robotics Engineer

ApolloTech MSI•Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

About The Position

We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical/Robotics Engineer III to join our growing engineering team. This role is central to the design, analysis, and integration of mechanical and electromechanical systems for fielded and developmental defense platforms. You will work closely with embedded systems engineers, autonomy developers, and program leadership to take designs from concept through prototype and into production. The ideal candidate is comfortable both at the CAD workstation and on the bench — someone who can derive kinematic equations in the morning and help assemble a gimbal in the afternoon.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field
5+ years of relevant engineering experience with at least 2 years in defense, robotics, or precision hardware development
Proficiency in SolidWorks or CREO (3D modeling, assemblies, drawings, simulation)
Demonstrated experience designing gimbal or pan-tilt mechanisms for optical or sensor payloads
Strong foundation in kinematics: rotation matrices, Denavit-Hartenberg parameters, transforms
Experience with motor/actuator selection methodologies and drive system sizing
Ability to perform and document structural FEA and thermal analysis
Active Secret clearance (or ability to obtain; interim acceptable for non-CUI work)
Strong written and verbal communication; ability to produce engineering analysis packages for CDRLs and design reviews

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Robotics
Experience with ROS 2 or equivalent middleware in hardware-in-the-loop contexts
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC environmental requirements (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461)
Experience with ATAK/WinTAK plugin integration or defense C2 systems
Background in UGV, UAV, or unmanned systems development

Responsibilities

Design mechanical assemblies, structural components, and electromechanical housings using SolidWorks or CREO
Design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) across CNC, sheet metal, and COTS-integration workflows
Derive and validate kinematic equations for multi-DOF mechanisms including slider-crank, four-bar, and serial/parallel linkages
Develop forward and inverse kinematic models; implement rotation matrices, homogeneous transforms, and Euler/quaternion representations
Design and analyze motion profiles for actuator selection and trajectory planning
Support integration of brushless motors, ballscrew drives, and servo systems into precision mechanisms
Lead mechanical design of two-axis and three-axis gimbaled sensor payloads (EO, IR, LRF)
Perform bearing selection, torque budgets, and load path analysis for gimbal structures
Collaborate with electrical and embedded teams on cable routing, connector selection, and slip ring integration
Validate pointing accuracy requirements through analysis and prototype testing
Perform FEA-based structural analysis using SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalent tools
Execute thermal analysis for electronic enclosures and dissipating subassemblies; define thermal mitigation strategies
Develop and execute DVT/EVT test plans; document results against design requirements
Select motors (brushless DC, stepper, servo) based on torque, speed, inertia, and duty cycle requirements
Size gearboxes, couplings, and drive trains; verify margin against dynamic loading conditions
Generate motor selection analysis reports suitable for design reviews