Senior Mechanical Engineer - Defense

nLIGHT•Camas, WA

8d•$105,000 - $130,000

About The Position

nLIGHT is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to contribute to the development of high-power fiber laser amplifiers and directed-energy laser systems. This role requires strong opto-mechanical design skills and hands-on experience developing rugged, production-ready hardware for demanding military environments. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will work within a multidisciplinary team spanning optical, electrical, thermal, and systems engineering, with primary responsibility for mechanical design, analysis, and verification of laser amplifier subsystems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field
Minimum of 7+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience
Experience in precision mechanical and opto-mechanical design
Familiarity with manufacturing methods including machining, sheet metal, and injection molding
Proficiency in SolidWorks and engineering drawing practices, including tolerance analysis and GD&T per ANSI Y14.5
Experience performing thermal and structural analyses
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance

Nice To Haves

Development or testing of high-power laser or electro-optical systems
Experience with fiber optics and optical assemblies
Environmental and mechanical qualification testing for military or aerospace applications
Experience with COMSOL or similar analysis tools

Responsibilities

Design and develop mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems for high-power fiber laser amplifiers used in directed-energy applications
Contribute to mechanical architecture and detailed design to meet performance, SWaP, environmental, reliability, and cost requirements
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system layouts, interfaces, and product requirements
Apply DFX principles to develop manufacturable, cost-effective designs suitable for prototype and production builds
Perform engineering analyses including thermal management, heat transfer, structural integrity, vibration, shock, and materials selection
Support planning and execution of design verification, acceptance testing, and environmental qualification testing
Participate in procurement, assembly, integration, and test of prototype and production hardware
Design and support tooling, fixtures, and process equipment for manufacturing
Support system-level integration and testing activities as required

Benefits

Target Cash Bonus of 6% of earned wages
Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
10 paid Holidays
Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Aflac Supplemental Insurance
Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
Tuition Assistance Program
Pet Insurance