Mechanical Engineering Manager

Company Description

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

The Mechanical Engineering Manager oversees a team of engineers to design, develop, and sustain electro-mechanical systems and components for defense and aerospace applications. This role drives the mechanical team to strive for technical excellence, ensures compliance with industry standards, and assigns resources for alignment with project timelines and budgets.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical engineers.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
• Allocate resources effectively across multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Oversee the design of mechanical components and systems, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Review and approve detailed drawings, CAD models, and engineering analysis.
• Lead design reviews and implement feedback to optimize product performance and manufacturability.
• Coordinate with program managers, supply chain teams, and manufacturing departments to ensure seamless project execution.
• Ensure all designs meet industry, customer, and safety standards.
• Support product testing and validation, including environmental and performance tests.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action for design-related issues.
• Identify opportunities for technology adoption to improve system performance or reduce costs.
• Collaborate with business development teams to provide technical input for proposals and bids.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently, accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products/services
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
• Initiative – Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion
• Decision Making - Able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Service - Works well with customers, promotes a positive image of the company, strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• 8 years of mechanical engineering experience, including 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record in defense or aerospace industries.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Strong understanding of thermal analysis, structural mechanics, and material properties.
• Familiarity with GD&T and ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Experience with DoD contracts and government regulations (e.g., ITAR compliance).
• Solid background in driving designs to support full life cycle (DFM, DtC, DFX, etc.)
• Preferred experience with RF and Antenna module and system design.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Masters degree preferred.

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries encourage diversity in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender/ Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran