Senior Mechanical Engineer, Shock and Vibration

Advanced Navigation is the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technologies across land, air, sea and space applications. Founded on a culture of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation's mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Fields of expertise include artificial intelligence, underwater sonar, GNSS, radio frequency systems, inertial sensors, robotics, quantum sensors and photonics. 

Today, Advanced Navigation is a supplier to some of the world's largest companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Google, Tesla, NASA, Apple, and General Motors. Discover it for yourself: https://youtu.be/F7uAqs1gtuk

Overview of the role

Advanced Navigation enters a new phase of Growth and International expansion and our team is on a mission to develop software to ensure that our products are the most reliable, high performance navigation products in the world. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer you will be instrumental in realising this ambition, developing software to solve real world problems with real world impact.

What you'll do:

• Design, prototype, and test complex mechanical systems integrating tightly with electronic and software components. 
• Designing products and components for wide temperature ranges, high vibration environments choosing the materials and shapes that can withstand or reduce the vibration and shock loads.
• Design and integrate damping systems to protect sensitive electronics and mission-critical hardware. Applying isolation techniques (i.e. appropriate shock mounts) that can attenuate or eliminate the vibration and shock transmitted to or within the system.
• Design & Analysis: Develop robust mechanical components and isolation systems using CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks). Perform detailed FEA to analyze natural frequencies, random vibration, and shock loading.
• Dynamic Simulation: Conduct modal analysis and predictive simulations to identify resonance frequencies and mitigate potential fatigue failures before physical prototyping.
• Testing & Validation: Lead Design Validation Testing (DVT) efforts, including the setup and execution of shaker table testing and environmental stress screening.
• Reliability: Ensure electronics packaging, PCB and fibre optic assemblies can withstand thermal and vibration stress throughout their operational lifecycle.
• Compliance: Ensure all designs meet rigorous industry and military standards, specifically MILSTD- 810.
• Take ownership and responsibility for a component of a project and manage deadlines and reporting for the component.
• Work closely with the Product Owner and Product Manager to ensure project requirements are being met, timelines are realistic, being adhered to and that the engineering designs meet requirements.
• Collaborate tightly with electrical and embedded software engineers to ensure seamless integration between system components.
• Develop jigs and self test capabilities to test and automate production of products.
• Deliver quality engineering solutions to agreed schedules and deadlines.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Degree qualified Engineer with specialisation in mechatronics, robotics, electrical, or mechanical engineering with a focus on vibrations/dynamics is highly preferred.
• Have 5+ years of engineering experience with a proven record of practical, hands-on problem solving.
• Extensive experience in mechanical CAD design (e.g., SolidWorks) and rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, CNC machining, fabrication).
• Advanced experience with FEA packages like SolidWorks Simulation Premium (preferred) or ANSYS or Nastran.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex modal analysis for shock/vibration/thermal and predictive hardware testing.
• Practical experience with shaker tables, accelerometers, and data acquisition systems for modal testing and sine/random vibration profiles using standards like MIL-STD-810, ISO 10816, ISO 1940, or NASA-HDBK-7004.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to translate simulation data into actionable design improvements to reduce the effects of shock and vibration.
• Deep understanding of material properties, including metals and viscoelastic damping materials, under dynamic stress and varying temperatures.
• Exposure to high volume production designs with a focus on design for manufacturability.
• Experience designing components for wide temperature ranges, high vibration environments choosing the materials and shapes that can withstand or reduce the vibration and shock loads.
• Experience applying damping and isolation techniques that can attenuate or eliminate the vibration and shock transmitted to or within the system.
• Highly analytical with practical, root-cause problem-solving capabilities.
• Possess strategic thinking and strong abilities to distill large amounts of information quickly and accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Efficient time management abilities, showcasing a drive for swift action.
• Be comfortable deep diving into technical topics and learning new skills to solve emerging problems.