Principal Mechanical Engineer

Textron•Hunt Valley, MD

17h

About The Position

Textron Systems is seeking a full-time Principal Mechanical Engineer for its Uncrewed Land & Air Systems business area. The role supports the design, integration, and lifecycle development of mechanical systems for uncrewed air and land platforms. The engineer will develop ruggedized mechanical solutions for autonomous systems, including chassis structures, mobility subsystems, airframe components, payload integration, and environmentally hardened enclosures. The position involves regular collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders, balancing rapid prototyping needs with long-term production readiness. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and capable of obtaining a Secret-level security clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
15–20+ years of relevant mechanical design experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, or automotive sectors.
Demonstrated experience designing mechanical components or systems for ruggedized ground vehicles, UAS platforms, robotic systems, or other systems operating in demanding environmental conditions.
Experience contributing to vehicle-level integration, such as structural analysis, payload or sensor integration, environmental sealing, and airframe or vehicle layout.
Familiarity with materials, joining methods, and manufacturing processes for prototype development and scalable production of mission-critical systems.
Proficiency in 3D CAD design, preferably Siemens NX or SolidWorks, and application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
Ability to develop system-level specifications, mass property reports, and structured mechanical documentation for design reviews and configuration management.
Experience working in digital engineering environments, including NX and Teamcenter, to generate, release, and maintain product definitions.
Ability to travel up to 15%25.
U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop detailed mechanical designs for air and ground vehicle structures, payload mounts, enclosures, and actuation subsystems for autonomous vehicles.
Create complete Technical Data Packages, including 3D models, drawings, specifications, and bills of materials, for prototype and production hardware.
Produce and review mechanical and electromechanical assembly drawings for manufacturing, testing, and sustainment.
Support designs through build, integration, verification, and production, including hands-on troubleshooting and supplier coordination.
Draft technical documentation, system descriptions, and proposal inputs for internal reviews and customer deliverables.
Prepare design reports, trade studies, and presentations summarizing analysis, test results, and recommendations for vehicle and subsystem improvements.