Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Description
BAE Systems is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide steady technical leadership and operational support for our mechanical engineering teams. This role is designed for a seasoned professional who is proficient in the mechanical engineering lifecycle and is looking to further evolve their technical expertise by overseeing complex military products. This role emphasizes the application of proven engineering principles to meet demanding customer requirements. You will serve as a bridge between high-level conceptual requirements and successful hardware execution, growing your own technical depth while guiding the growth of junior engineers.
Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead mechanical engineering teams through the design and development of military systems, ensuring that projects remain on track and adhere to technical requirements.
• Concept Application: Define mechanical concepts under an agile process to meet customer requirements, focusing on reliability, feasibility, and technical justification.
• SME Support: Provide Subject Matter Expertise (SME) for requirements definition, design, analysis and mechanical testing of hardware and subsystems for Electronic Warfare products.
• Analytical Oversight: Oversee and review detailed designs and analyses, ensuring the correct application of heat transfer principles, strength of materials, and vibration environment standards.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure all designs adhere to Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) requirements to streamline the transition from design to production.
• Mentorship: Actively mentor mid-level and junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous technical growth and professional development within the team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Maintain effective relationships with peers, program managers, and customers to resolve technical hurdles and implement practical solutions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Education, Experience, & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience: Extensive experience in product development and support of DoD military electronics equipment.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to work with 3D solid models, drawings, and documentation utilizing GD&T principles.
• Analysis Skills: Proficiency in performing thermal, structural/stress, and vibration analyses to assure fit and function against environmental requirements.
• Leadership: Proven experience leading hardware engineering teams through various phases of the product life cycle.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical data into actionable presentations for stakeholders.
• Compliance: Must be a US Citizen; eligible to obtain/maintain a DoW Security Clearance.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred Skills & Professional Attributes

• Self-Sufficiency & Resourcefulness: Ability to work independently, drive tasks to completion, and take ownership of deliverables with minimal oversight.
• Collaborative Growth Mindset: A proactive approach to professional development, including the discernment to recognize when a challenge requires additional expertise and the willingness to seek help or collaborate with others to find the best solution.
• Standards: Advance Knowledge of MIL specs and industry standards (VITA, SOSA, ASTM, SAE, DO).

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.