Senior Mechanical Engineer I

Innoflight • San Diego, CA

4d • $150,000 - $180,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest-growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. From software-defined radios to cutting-edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space. Join our small, agile, and mission-driven team where your work has real impact and your growth has no limits. We’re not just reaching for the stars—we’re engineering them. Let’s innovate the infinite, together. A DAY IN THE LIFE: As a Senior Mechanical Engineer I at Innoflight, you will serve as a principal-level contributor providing technical leadership for the design, analysis, and integration of complex mechanical systems for aerospace and spaceflight applications. You will drive system-level solutions across multiple programs, resolve challenging engineering problems, and mentor engineers while upholding rigorous engineering standards. Your work will influence program architecture, risk mitigation, and cross-functional integration, ensuring mission-critical hardware meets requirements, performance, cost, and schedule objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• 12 or more years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, including aerospace, spaceflight, or defense systems.
• Expert proficiency in SolidWorks and related CAD tools for complex assemblies and production drawings.
• Advanced experience with FEA using SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, and/or NASTRAN.
• Electronic packaging design experience required.
• Deep understanding of environmental and structural design considerations, including shock, vibration, thermal, and fatigue.
• Knowledge of applicable standards such as MIL, NASA, and GEVS, and their application to design, test, and qualification.
• Proven ability to lead technically complex programs and influence cross-functional teams.
• Experience mentoring engineers and shaping technical development across an organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and engineering judgment skills.
• Hands-on lab experience assembling and disassembling hardware.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with satellite hardware, space environments, or other high-reliability systems strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle mechanical development: Drive mechanical design from concept through qualification, production, and sustainment for complex, high-reliability systems.
• Serve as senior technical authority: Provide design direction and ensure alignment with system-level requirements, performance, cost, and schedule.
• Perform and review advanced analyses: Conduct and validate thermal, structural, and dynamic analyses using hand calculations and FEA tools such as SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, and NASTRAN.
• Define architectures and trade studies: Develop and review mechanical architectures, risk mitigation strategies, and design trade studies for high-impact programs.
• Oversee documentation and approvals: Review, approve, and sign off on critical technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and analysis reports.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Lead mechanical requirements development with systems engineering, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Lead technical reviews and anomaly boards: Chair design reviews, anomaly resolution boards, and customer-facing technical discussions.
• Support suppliers and external partners: Provide oversight on supplier designs, requirement compliance, and acceptance of delivered hardware.
• Investigate and resolve failures: Lead root cause investigations for complex failures and drive corrective action implementation.
• Mentor engineers and shape best practices: Guide senior and mid-level engineers and promote mechanical engineering standards and lessons learned across programs.
• Support proposals and technology initiatives: Contribute to proposal efforts, technical roadmaps, and long-term technology development strategies.

Benefits

• 401(k) with 3% company match (automatic enrollment)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA & life insurance
• 10 paid holidays + 120 hours PTO (starting in year one)
• Access to ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, disability, legal and pet insurance.
• Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off—whether you use it to recharge, work on a passion project, or spend time with family, the choice is yours.
• Continuous Learning & Development: We’re serious about professional development. From tuition reimbursement to internal "Ask Me Anything" sessions and weekly “Lunch & Learns,” we make learning a core part of the job.
• Mission-Driven Culture: We aren’t just building tech—we’re enabling the next era of space exploration. Our Culture Ambassadors help lead initiatives around inclusion, positivity, recognition, and transparency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees