Lead Mechanical Engineer – US Defense

Location: Madison Heights, MI (100% onsite)

Compensation: $120,000–$130,000 + full benefits, PTO, and holidays

Employment: Long-term contract with clear path to direct hire and career growth

This role is open ONLY to US Citizens as all candidates must be eligible for secret security clearance (US Security clearance requires US Citizenship). Please note, clearance isn’t required to start (only eligibility). Candidates who are Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders), TN visa holders, H1B or F1 (OPT/CPT) candidates are NOT permitted in this role. This role is NOT open to corp2corp (C2C) or corp2hire (C2H).

Build Mission-Critical Systems That Protect Those Who Serve

Join a highly respected defense engineering organization with the agility, ownership, and innovation mindset of a startup—without the instability. Here, engineers take pride in craftsmanship, move quickly, collaborate deeply, and see their work directly contribute to the safety and effectiveness of U.S. military personnel and platforms.

You’ll operate in a flexible, hands-on engineering environment where ideas are valued, expertise is trusted, and technical leaders drive real decisions. This is a role for engineers who want to lead technically, shape complex vehicle systems, and contribute to a mission that matters.

Position Overview

The Lead Mechanical Engineer is a lead technical contributor responsible for mechanical and system-level design, integration, build, and test of advanced military vehicle components and subsystems. This role combines deep engineering rigor with cross-functional collaboration, customer engagement, and ownership of technical execution across programs. You will influence whole-vehicle architectures, guide design direction, and mentor peers—serving as a trusted technical leader without formal people management.

What Makes This Environment Unique

• Startup mindset, established mission: fast decisions, high ownership, low bureaucracy
• Purpose-driven engineering: your work directly supports warfighter safety and mission readiness
• Collaborative culture: tight partnership across engineering, manufacturing, and programs
• Technical leadership without org charts: influence through expertise
• Pride in craftsmanship: design, build, test, and see systems come to life
• Stable defense programs + long-term growth path

Key Responsibilities

• Lead whole-vehicle, system, and subsystem mechanical design and integration
• Apply advanced engineering principles across design, analysis, build, and validation
• Serve as primary mechanical interface with customers and internal stakeholders
• Drive technical decisions across cost, performance, schedule, and manufacturability
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, test, and program teams
• Support technical reviews, milestones, and customer engagements
• Coordinate and implement design changes with disciplined execution
• Identify process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce rework
• Utilize CAD, PDM, and simulation tools to evaluate system-level impacts
• Mentor engineers and promote engineering best practices

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• 8+ years of cradle to grave mechanical engineering experience in complex systems or vehicles
• Demonstrated technical leadership in system-level design and integration
• Experience interfacing directly with customers in technical reviews
• Systems-engineering mindset with mechanical integration expertise
• 5+ years in defense or ruggedized vehicle/platform environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MS or MBA)
• Experience in project/program engineering for complex systems
• Proficiency with CAD, PDM, and mechanical analysis tools
• Active security clearance

How to Apply for This Job:

To apply for this position, please follow these steps: Apply for this job with your current resume. We’ll get back to you the same day with some feedback on your application. Next you’ll be invited to an online screening conversation so we can go over the job requirements together and you can ask questions. After this stage we’ll give you more feedback on your application and select the candidates to move forward in the process. Typically steps 1 to 4 takes less than 24 hours.

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