About this role
Job Title: Senior Design Engineer - DefenseLocation: 100% OnsitePlacement Type: Direct Placement Job DescriptionAs a Senior Design Engineer, you will lead the mechanical design and development of aerospace structures, mechanisms, and systems from initial concept through detailed design, validation, testing, qualification, and delivery. You will translate customer and system requirements into mechanical design solutions, perform and review engineering calculations and analyses, develop CAD models and drawing packages, support prototypes and hardware testing, and provide technical direction to junior engineers.
Responsibilities
- Lead design efforts independently while remaining hands-on with CAD, drawings, engineering calculations, analysis, and hardware development.
- Support multiple simultaneous programs and contribute to proposal efforts, rapid concept development, and customer-facing technical presentations.
- Work from system-level or baseline requirements and develop a design solution rather than supporting an established production environment.
- Participate in clean-sheet or new-product design, requirements interpretation, concept development, system-level requirements reviews, concept/design reviews, Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), design maturation, development testing, qualification, and flight-test-related development.
- Perform stress analysis, work on government contracts and acquisitions, and engage in conceptual design and customer presentations.
Essential Skills
- BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent field.
- Typically 6+ years of aerospace/defense system design experience.
- Strong mechanical design fundamentals.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, GD&T, CAD/CAE knowledge.
- Engineering calculations, tolerance stack-ups, materials/strength/stress fundamentals.
- Drawing and technical diagram interpretation.
- Knowledge of military/commercial design specifications.
- Experience with qualification-tested hardware.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent priorities/design efforts.
- Technical problem-solving and creativity.
- Strong communication and customer relationship skills.
- Quality- and safety-focused mindset.
- U.S. person status required under U.S. export-control requirements.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Master's degree is advantageous.
- True aerospace/defense development experience.
- Ability to mentor less-experienced engineers.
Work EnvironmentThis position is based in an in-office environment with manufacturing and test & development floors. The role follows a 9/80 schedule with a Monday-Friday workweek starting at 8:00 AM, and every other Friday off. The work setting is a hands-on design/development environment, allowing engineers to remain actively involved in CAD/design, drawings, engineering analysis, and testing. The engineering team values dual capabilities in design and engineering justification, favoring individuals who enjoy owning both the design and its underlying engineering rationale. The company offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) match, PTO, HSA contribution, FSA, life/AD&D, disability coverage, and tuition reimbursement.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Mukilteo, WA.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $135000.00 - $180000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off
Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Companypaid life and AD&D insurance
Short and longterm disability coverage
Tuition reimbursement
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.
Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Mukilteo,WA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.