Principal Mechanical Engineer, CHAOS Industries

• The ideal candidate has strong hands-on mechanical CAD and system integration experience, demonstrated launcher design and integration success, a deep understanding of ruggedized hardware design, and a proven ability to work independently and guide cross-disciplinary engineering efforts
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical design and system integration for aerospace or defense
• Demonstrated experience designing missile launcher systems or closely related hardware
• Strong background in structural design, mechanisms, and ruggedized hardware for harsh environments
• Experience with electro-mechanical integration, including power and data interfaces and connector systems
• Working knowledge of blast, thermal, and dynamic loads associated with rocket or missile systems
• Familiarity with system safety principles, including safe-and-arm or fuzing interfaces and launch interlocks
• Strong proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) and experience designing large assemblies
• Solid understanding of mechanical interfaces, tolerancing, alignment, installation practices, and interface control documents (ICDs)
• Experience interpreting and applying military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810) and environmental qualification practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and resolve cross-disciplinary integration challenges
• Strong communication skills and ability to operate across multiple programs
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Desirable

• CHAOS is seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of advanced missile and UAV launcher systems
• This role owns end-to-end mechanical design from concept development through production and sustainment, of launcher systems supporting solid rocket motor effectors, turbine-powered UAVs, and electrically powered UAV systems across mobile ground and maritime platforms. This role collaborates closely across functions and provides technical management of subcontracts
• This role is suited for engineers who thrive in fast-paced, hands-on environments and are comfortable owning hardware from concept through field deployment
• Own mechanical architecture and integration of launcher systems across multiple platforms (ground and maritime)
• Define and manage mechanical and electro-mechanical interfaces between missile, canister, and platform
• Develop solutions for environmental protection and blast, plume, and thermal effects including gas management, shielding, and structural protection
• Ensure compliance with safety interlock requirements and launch sequencing constraints
• Design mechanical safing features and contribute to system-level hazard analyses
• Design and develop mechanisms and actuation systems for deployment, retention, and release
• Ensure compliance with relevant military standards
• Serve as a primary technical hardware interface with customers, platform providers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Perform make/buy assessments
• Lead integration of launcher systems onto mobile ground and maritime platforms, accounting for structural loads, motion environments, corrosion, and installation constraints
• Support production transition, configuration control, and fielded system sustainment, including investigation and resolution of integration issues