Senior Mechanical Engineer - Defense

nLIGHT•Camas, WA

42d•$103,000 - $130,000

About The Position

At nLIGHT, the Senior Mechanical Engineer contributes to cross-functional teams developing novel fiber laser designs for industrial and directed-energy applications. The role develops new laser systems and products and helps define user interfaces, overall system layouts, product requirements, and cost objectives. The engineer plans and executes design-verification protocols, including environmental and accelerated-life testing; oversees and participates in procurement and assembly of engineering and prototype builds; and designs and builds robust tooling and process equipment for reliable, high-volume manufacturing. Candidates must be U.S. Persons under applicable U.S. export-control regulations. nLIGHT is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify.

Requirements

Commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and pride in workmanship.
Self-directed, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a comparable discipline and at least 6 years of mechanical engineering experience; or a master’s degree and at least 4 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. and at least 1 year of relevant experience.
Experience with manufacturing techniques including machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and welding.
Ability to conduct engineering analyses of heat transfer, thermal modeling, stress and strain behavior, and materials selection using hand calculations and finite element methods.
Detailed understanding of machining tools, methods, and capabilities.
Proficiency with SolidWorks and engineering drawing practices, including tolerance analysis and the ability to apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with clear and professional written and oral communication skills.
Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status) to qualify under U.S. export-control regulations.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing hardware for defense or aerospace programs, including design and testing to military standards such as MIL-STD-810.
Experience with environmental and mechanical qualification testing for military or aerospace applications.
Experience developing high-power laser or electro-optical systems and assemblies.
Detailed understanding of precision opto-mechanical design and fine mechanisms.
Experience with fiber optics and optical assemblies.
Proficiency with COMSOL Multiphysics and/or Ansys analysis tools for thermal, structural, and fluid modeling.

Responsibilities

Contribute to cross-functional teams pursuing development of novel fiber laser designs for industrial and directed-energy applications.
Develop mechanical designs for new laser systems and products.
Help define user interfaces, overall system layouts, product requirements, and cost objectives.
Plan and execute design-verification test protocols, including environmental and accelerated-life testing.
Oversee and participate in procurement and assembly of engineering and prototype builds.
Devise, design, and build robust tooling and process equipment suitable for reliable high-volume manufacturing.

Benefits

Target cash bonus of 6% of earned wages.
Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants.
Four weeks of paid time off per year.
10 paid holidays.
Eligible for health benefits on the first day of the month after the start date.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits, including prescription and orthodontia coverage, with employee-paid premiums as low as $40 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 and AD&D insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Aflac Supplemental Insurance.
Paid bereavement leave and jury duty.
Tuition Assistance Program.
Pet insurance.