Principal Mechanical Engineer

Description

Viken Detection is seeking a highly experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership and architectural ownership across our advanced detection and imaging systems. This highest-level individual contributor role sets mechanical design strategy, drives cross-platform alignment, and tackles complex system-level challenges. The Principal Mechanical Engineer partners closely with Engineering, Physics, Program Management, and Operations to deliver high-performance, manufacturable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions from concept through sustaining engineering.

Responsibilities

• Serve as mechanical system architect for major product platforms 
• Lead system-level design decisions, trade studies, and risk mitigation 
• Establish mechanical standards, best practices, and reusable design architectures 
• Drive cross-functional alignment across mechanical, electrical, software, and physics teams 
• Lead development of complex electromechanical systems including structures, mechanisms, and enclosures 
• Drive early-stage innovation by assembling and testing proof-of-concept prototypes to validate concepts and reduce technical risk
• Own mechanical execution across the full product lifecycle from concept through sustaining 
• Resolve high-impact, cross-subsystem technical challenges 
• Oversee tolerance analysis, structural integrity, environmental robustness, and reliability 
• Partner with Operations to ensure manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective designs 
• Lead mechanical NPI efforts, production readiness, and supplier engagement 
• Incorporate production, quality, and field feedback into continuous improvement 
• Mentor engineers and lead technical design reviews 
• Influence engineering roadmaps, resourcing, and long-term technical strategy 
• Advise engineering leadership on mechanical risk, capability, and execution 
• Promote engineering rigor, documentation quality, and technical excellence
• Travel as needed (e.g., to suppliers, manufacturing partners, field deployments, or customer sites) to support development, integration, and issue resolution

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering 
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience in complex product development 
• Proven technical lead or system owner on shipped products 
• Experience designing electromechanical systems such as handheld devices, large-scale industrial or vehicle-mounted equipment, or precision mechanisms 
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including injection-molded plastics, structural metals, welded assemblies, and tolerance management 
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or Onshape; working knowledge of FEA and mechanical simulation 
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills 
• Demonstrated ownership of designs from concept through full-rate production 
• Experience with ruggedized, safety-critical, or harsh-environment products; collaboration with Physics or Imaging teams preferred 
• Passion for mission-driven engineering and real-world impact

Additional Information

Location: This role is based in Burlington, MA. We are seeking local candidates, as relocation assistance is not available.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.