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Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.
Job Summary
The Staff Mechanical Engineer is responsible for executing design tasks, analysis, and integration of high-performance opto-mechanical subsystems for telescopes, beam directors, and related instruments. This role spans the development of precision structures, mechanisms, and optical support assemblies for use on platforms ranging from terrestrial to spaceborne. Responsibilities include serving as a member of a mechanical design team, CAD modeling, performing structural and thermal analyses, drafting, and drawing release. The role requires close coordination with the mechanical lead and involves interfacing with other functional disciplines, such as optical, controls, electrical, and systems engineering, interacting with vendors and fabrication, and support for tooling development, assembly, integration and test.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Participate in the design of large telescope structures, mounts and optical support assemblies
- Perform FEA for gravity sag, thermal distortion, wind loading, and dynamic response
- Assist in the development of mirror support cells, actuators, and precision interfaces for alignment maintenance
- Perform CAD modeling, detailed drawing generation, and tolerance budgeting
- Integrate mechanical designs with subsystems such as drives, bearings, enclosures, and thermal management
- Participate in risk reduction activities such as breadboards, subscale prototypes, and structural tests
- Support assembly, integration, and test with tooling design and review of work instructions
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Minimum Qualifications
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
- Minimum two years of related experience in a professional role with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience with a master’s degree
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Preferred Qualifications
An understanding of precision mechanism design and/or opto-mechanical design principles, as well as hands-on hardware assembly, integration, and testing is preferred
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Skills & Other Requirements
- Exposure to structural/mechanical engineering, with emphasis on precision opto-mechanical systems
- Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) and/or FEA (NX Nastran or SimCenter are preferred)
- Experience with thermal, structural, and/or dynamic analysis of opto-mechanical systems is a plus
- Exposure to designing optical systems, including mounts (for reflective or refractive systems) for operation in harsh environments is preferred
- Previous involvement integrating, aligning and testing of optical systems is a plus
- Exposure to the design of precision mechanisms for operation in harsh environments is a plus
- Exposure to the design of carbon composite structures is also a plus
- High mechanical aptitude with proven ability to work through complex problems
- Proficiency with CAD software required (Solidworks preferred) and exposure to Finite Element Analysis preferred (Femap/NX Nastran)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong organizational skills and attention to details required
- Experience with the design of optical systems from concept to production; familiar with the design of optics, optics mounting strategies, GD&T, manufacturability, and cost are all a plus
- Experience in preparing and maintaining drawings, procedures, work instructions, and Bill of Materials in an environment of complete document and configuration control is desired
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills; familiar with analytical tools used for problem solving and process development
- Experience with networked PC based computer system (MS Office, spreadsheets, access, graphics, Email, ERP systems, and accounting software)
For Colorado, the salary pay range for this role is $70,840 - $121,176
Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.Â
Export Control Compliance
This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.
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