Lead Mechanical Engineer - Directed Energy at HII in Knoxville, TN

Job description

Requisition Number: 29065 Required Travel: 0 - 10% Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt Anticipated Salary Range: $101,354.00 - $165,000.00 Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain Level of Experience: Senior This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS) , a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems. HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners. Leadership at HII – Mission Technologies HII’s Leadership Capability Framework defines the standard of excellence expected of all leaders across Mission Technologies. Leaders are accountable for modeling these capabilities and building them within their teams: Know & Grow Your People – Develop talent, empower teams, and build an inclusive environment. Build Relationships – Strengthen trust, collaboration, and cross-functional partnerships. Take Ownership – Drive accountability, execution excellence, and results. Customer First – Anticipate mission needs and deliver value to our partners. Shape the Future – Inspire innovation and align work with strategic priorities. Act with Urgency – Make informed decisions and move with purpose. These capabilities define how leaders inspire teams, deliver results, and shape the future of Mission Job Description HII, Mission Technologies has an opportunity available for a Lead Mechanical Engineer located in Knoxville, TN. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced mechanical systems that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that mechanical designs—including structural components, thermal management systems, precision assemblies, and packaging solutions—translate into safe, functional, and production-ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements. The ideal candidate will excel at computer-aided mechanical engineering design, demonstrate leadership in collaborative multidisciplinary environments, and thrive when developing solutions with incomplete or evolving requirements typical of advanced defense programs. Essential Job Responsibilities Design & Engineering Leadership Lead computer-aided mechanical engineering design for structural components, power electronics, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, and mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms. Direct design efforts for structural components, thermal management systems, precision optical mounts, mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies critical to directed energy platforms. Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems. Translate requirements into polished 2D/3D CAD models using SolidWorks. Perform and oversee fundamental engineering analysis (stress, thermal, vibration, fluid dynamics). Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems and prototypes. Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth. Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Systems Integration Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture. Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers and program management. Interface with manufacturing to optimize designs for fabrication. Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements. Risk Management & Problem Solving Identify, articulate, and manage risks across mechanical, structural, and thermal systems. Solve complex engineering proble