About the job
Spectral Labs Incorporated is an employee-owned defense and homeland security contracting company located in San Diego, CA with a focus on radiation sensing, computer-based simulation and training, and security screening technologies. Dedicated to being a world-class source of innovative, yet practical, solutions to problems of importance to our National interest, Spectral Labs seeks to employ people of exceptional creativity, expertise, and determination who work as a team both internally and with our customers. Spectral Labs offers wide opportunities for gaining hands-on experience and developing skills in a diverse portfolio of active programs.
Our engineering team values curiosity, rigorous analysis, and practical problem solving. Engineers here are expected to take ownership of designs, test their ideas in the lab, and continuously improve systems through hands-on experimentation.
Position Summary
Spectral Labs has an opening for a Mechanical Engineer / Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, development, and testing of mechanical systems and instrument packaging across multiple programs. This is an on-site, hands-on engineering role suited for a motivated engineer with several years of professional experience who enjoys applying strong mechanical engineering fundamentals to real-world hardware challenges.
The successful candidate will contribute to product development efforts involving ruggedized instrumentation, electromechanical assemblies, and mechanical packaging designed to meet demanding environmental requirements such as MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with electrical, software, and systems engineers in a collaborative environment to bring new technologies from concept through prototype and qualification testing.
We are seeking an engineer with strong analytical ability and practical problem-solving skills who is comfortable moving between theory, design, prototyping, and test. The ideal candidate enjoys building and improving physical systems, optimizing designs through engineering analysis, and troubleshooting complex electromechanical hardware.
Engineers with experience developing ruggedized instrumentation, defense systems, aerospace hardware, or field-deployed equipment are particularly encouraged to apply. This role is best suited for engineers who enjoy working close to the hardware — designing, building, testing, and iterating on real systems in the lab and supporting manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for instrumentation and electronic systems using SolidWorks.
- Develop mechanical packaging solutions for electronics and sensor systems intended to operate in rugged and environmentally demanding conditions.
- Design mechanical systems to survive shock, vibration, ingress and thermal environments typical of military and field-deployed equipment.
- Apply engineering analysis (stress, vibration, thermal, tolerance stack-up) to optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
- Perform engineering calculations and design trade studies to guide mechanical design decisions.
- Develop and maintain well-structured SolidWorks assemblies that support design intent, configuration management, and efficient design iteration.
- Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings using SolidWorks CAD modeling tools.
- Support product development from concept through prototype fabrication, integration, and testing.
- Develop and execute Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA) to identify and mitigate potential system risks.
- Collaborate with electrical, systems, and software engineers to integrate mechanical and electronic subsystems.
- Support environmental qualification testing including vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI/EMC testing in accordance with MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
- Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical systems during prototype development and system integration.
- Support prototype fabrication, assembly, and laboratory testing activities.
- Document design decisions, test results, and technical findings clearly and thoroughly.
- Take ownership of mechanical subsystems from concept through design, prototype, test, and design refinement.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or closely related discipline.
- 3–10 years of relevant professional experience in mechanical design, product development, or electromechanical system design.
- Strong foundation in core mechanical engineering principles including mechanics of materials, dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
- Strong proficiency with SolidWorks CAD modeling, including complex assemblies, configurations, and creation of production-ready drawings.
- Experience designing mechanical systems for electronics packaging, instrumentation, or electromechanical products.
- Demonstrated ability to apply analytical engineering methods to optimize designs and solve technical problems.
- Experience supporting hardware development through prototype, test, and iteration.
- Experience performing or participating in Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills for complex systems.
- Candidates should be prepared to discuss a mechanical design they personally developed, including the engineering analysis, trade-offs considered, and lessons learned during testing or iteration.
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) or related discipline.
- Experience designing ruggedized hardware for defense, aerospace, or industrial applications.
- Familiarity with environmental qualification testing including MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
- Experience with vibration, thermal, or structural analysis tools (FEA or analytical methods).
- Knowledge of tolerance stack-up analysis and design for manufacturability (DFM).
- Experience structuring SolidWorks models and assemblies to support design iteration, reuse, and configuration management.
- Experience with fabrication methods such as CNC machining, sheet metal, additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary product development teams.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-starter with a hands-on engineering mindset and collaborative attitude.
The annual pay scale for this position is $90,000 – $135,000 (salaried). Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. There is no relocation assistance for this position. Employment is contingent on applicants successfully passing a criminal background check.
Benefits
Spectral Labs offers competitive benefits as well as unique opportunities for employee ownership. Our benefits package includes:
- 401(k) with company matching
- Medical and dental insurance for employee and family
- Tuition reimbursement
- Paid time off and eight (8) paid holidays per year
Spectral Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status or other protected characteristics.
