Senior Mechanical Engineer

Salient Motion•Torrance, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

We are pioneering modular motion technologies to power the next generation of innovation for Industrial, Aerospace and Defense. If you're excited about disrupting legacy industries, and passionate about motor control technology, let's chat! We are at the forefront of innovation, crafting exclusive motion control components that propel the industrial, aerospace, and defense sectors into the future. We are open to relocating you. We have great benefits. We are well funded, and already generating revenue. We are located in beautiful Torrance, CA and just moved into a new large hangar facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
5+ years of experience through the full product lifecycle—from initial ideation and prototyping to high-fidelity production.
A deep intuition for electromagnetic principles and a mastery of mechanical load paths and load cases.
Proficiency in sizing analysis for strength, fatigue, and life cycles of actuator components (gears, shafts, housings).
Advanced design experience in SolidWorks (or equivalent 3D modeling packages), including complex assemblies and configuration management.
Fluency in ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards; ability to produce high-quality 2D drawings and collaborate with vendors to solve DFM (Design for Manufacturing) hurdles.
Proven track record of qualifying hardware against rigorous aerospace or military standards ( DO-160, MIL-STD-810 ).
A "builder" mindset—you are as comfortable at a computer as you are in the lab spinning wrenches and debugging your own hardware.
U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing custom test equipment, writing formal procedures, and executing complex qualification test campaigns.
Detailed knowledge of AGMA Standards, gearbox design analysis (ratios, backlash, lubrication), and specialized fabrication methods.
Experience navigating both high-compliance, "heavy" programs and fast-paced, lean R&D environments.

Responsibilities

Translate high-level, ambiguous mission needs into actionable functional and operational requirements for complex electromechanical systems.
Design and iterate on electromagnetic actuators and intricate mechanisms, integrating components such as precision gears, bearings, lead screws, braking systems, and encoders.
Develop high-performance avionics enclosures, focusing on innovative thermal management (heat rejection) and structural survivability in extreme, high-vibration, or vacuum environments.
Architect the test equipment and methodologies required for formal hardware qualification, ensuring total compliance with DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 standards.
Act as a technical anchor across the organization, guiding integration efforts and supporting multidisciplinary teams through complex system testing.
Partner closely with external suppliers to ensure the delivery of conforming hardware; proactively manage manufacturing deviations to maintain rigorous quality and schedule standards.
Maintain a "design-build-test" mindset, taking personal responsibility for the assembly, bring-up, and debugging of your own hardware prototypes.