Mechanical Engineering Manager / Principal Mechanical Engineer IV

IRIS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Mechanical Engineering Manager / Principal Mechanical Engineer 4

Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Engineering
Location: Irvine, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

This role is a 80% management, 20% individual contributor position responsible for leading the Mechanical Engineering function while providing senior-level technical leadership on mechanical design, development, integration, and testing. The position manages engineering resources, supports program execution, develops and mentors engineers, provides business development inputs, and ensures mechanical designs meet customer requirements, quality standards, cost targets, and schedules. The Mechanical Engineering Manager works closely with Program Management, other engineering disciplines, and customers to deliver innovative and effective mechanical solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Mechanical Engineering team in the design, development, integration, and testing of mechanical systems and components.
• Act as the functional manager for the Mechanical Engineering discipline within Iris Technology’s matrix organization, coordinating engineering resources with Program Management and assigning engineers to programs as needed.
• Provide technical mentorship, guidance, and support to mechanical engineers, including coaching on applications, design practices, processes, standards, and professional development.
• Approve biweekly timecards for engineers within the Mechanical Engineering discipline after Program Management review, approve time off requests, and help identify backup resources when needed.
• Conduct regular Mechanical Engineering team meetings to support communication, alignment, knowledge sharing, and issue resolution.
• Provide performance feedback, participate in annual employee reviews, gather feedback throughout the year, and establish and review individual and departmental goals.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor the technical performance of Company programs, including schedules, budgets, resources, requirements, and deliverables.
• Work with Program Managers, Systems Engineering, customers, and cross-functional development teams to establish requirements, mechanical specifications, deliverables, and execution plans.
• Prepare detailed mechanical designs using SolidWorks, including 2D and 3D designs, fabrication drawings, and assembly drawings.
• Analyze mechanical designs for thermal and structural performance and support the development of solutions to complex technical problems.
• Assess and select materials and manufacturing processes that meet design, environmental, quality, performance, and cost requirements.
• Coordinate and manage selected vendors and ensure quality of mechanical components through inspections, verifications, and adherence to specifications.
• Prepare & present technically complete Data Reports and Design Review data packages and support customer approval and acceptance activities.
• Ensure mechanical engineering documentation and designs comply with applicable military standards, AS9100 requirements, customer requirements, and Company processes.
• Identify technical, resource, schedule, cost, and personnel risks and develop or recommend contingency plans and corrective actions.
• Resolve technical questions and production issues, including high-impact issues, and provide technical support for production applications.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering processes, standards, efficiency, and productivity, and recommend and implement improvements.
• Keep current with relevant industry trends, technologies, engineering practices, and developments that may benefit Iris Technology programs and products.
• Support proposal efforts by providing technical input, engineering estimates, and execution considerations based on experience.
• Make technical presentations to customers, prospective clients, management, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Communicate program status, technical issues, risks, progress, and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineering staff and share knowledge and experience through lessons learned presentations and other technical interactions.
• Perform individual contributor engineering work throughout the development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, design, analysis, prototyping, testing, debugging, documentation, deployment, maintenance, and enhancements.
• Own configuration, BOM, and PDM management workflow and process
• Perform other activities as identified and assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical, Manufacturing, and/or Aerospace Engineering or an equivalent engineering field.
• 10+ years of experience as an engineer in a highly technical, research and development, and/or manufacturing environment or equivalent.

• Demonstrated experience leading technical projects, including schedules, budgets, resources, requirements, and deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a mechanical engineering team and coordinate resources in a matrix organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical engineering design, development, analysis, and integration.
• Expert in CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) , 2D mechanical drawing, and 3D modeling.
• Demonstrate expertise in configuration management
• Demonstrate expertise in DFM (design for manufacturability), GD&T, and tolerancing
• Ability to read and understand electrical and mechanical drawings and work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience interacting with customers and building relationships based on technical understanding and mission objectives.
• Excellent technical, diagnostic, troubleshooting, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Project.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work on time and within budget.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience designing flight and military-grade hardware.
• Thermal and structural analysis experience.
• Fatigue and Steinberg analysis experience
• Deep understanding of random vibration analysis and testing
• Understanding of thermal and TVAC testing
• Understanding of EMI testing
• Systems integration experience.
• AS9100 experience.
• Experience with military standards and customer design review and acceptance processes.
• Experience developing and implementing engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
• Understanding and familiarity with NASA, GEVS, and MIL-STD-810 standards
• Understanding and familiarity with Dsub, MicorD, D38999, and Airborn connector families
• Experience designing mechanical packaging and assemblies around PCBAs, including component clearance, mounting strategies, connector placement, thermal management, and structural support

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Deep knowledge of mechanical engineering design, development, analysis, manufacturing, and integration practices.
• Strong leadership and organizational abilities, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop engineering staff.
• Ability to coordinate engineering resources, resolve resource conflicts, and work collaboratively with Program Management and other functional leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to customers, management, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and resolve complex technical and program issues and escalate risks and opportunities appropriately.
• Ability to evaluate engineering processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement practical improvements.
• Ability to build effective professional relationships with employees, customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• High level of accountability, attention to detail, planning, adaptability, and commitment to quality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily performed in an office and engineering environment with regular interaction with engineering, manufacturing, program management, customers, and vendors. Position may require time in manufacturing and laboratory environments and may require travel for customer meetings, program activities, vendor interactions, testing, or other business needs. Ability to work effectively under schedule pressure and manage multiple priorities is required.

SECURITY / EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. Person or U.S. Permanent Resident required.
• Iris Technology Corporation does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $160,000 – $190,000 annually

The final salary offered will be based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and demonstrated technical expertise.

BENEFITS

• Flexible education benefits
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 401(k) retirement plan offered after eligibility (see 401(k) Summary Plan Description)
• Paid Time Off (vacation and personal) accrues at the rate of 80 hours per year (3.08 hours per biweekly pay period), with accrual at higher rates according to the length of service matrix (see employee handbook addendum)
• Five (5) sick days per year, Prorated by the quarter hired in
• Long Term Disability – paid by employer after eligibility
• Life Insurance – paid by employer after eligibility Supplemental Life Insurance – offered after eligibility
• Dental care – group plan offered after eligibility
• Vision care – group plan offered after eligibility
• Health care - 80% off the premium HMO plan allowed towards plan of your choosing (after eligibility)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) offered after eligibility
• Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company performance and the achievement of revenue goals. This bonus reflects our commitment to rewarding team contributions when we meet our business objectives.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Iris Technology Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of legally protected characteristics.