Sabre UAV Advanced Mechanical Engineer

Basic Qualifications

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: [Department of Defense Secret security clearance is preferred at time of hire.] Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of UAV structures, payload enclosures, equipment mounts, brackets, mechanisms, and other flight hardware for the Sabre program.
• Create and review 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, bills of material, interface definitions, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing in accordance with applicable engineering standards.
• Perform or coordinate structural, thermal, vibration, shock, fatigue, and tolerance analyses; interpret results and drive design improvements that meet performance and weight targets.
• Collaborate with electrical, systems, manufacturing, test, and supplier teams to integrate avionics, wiring, thermal management, environmental protection, and serviceability within platform constraints.
• Define and execute mechanical verification and validation activities, including prototype evaluation, environmental qualification, laboratory testing, flight-test support, and failure investigation.
• Support design reviews, configuration management, change control, technical risk management, and clear communication of status, issues, and recommendations to program leadership.
• Support transition to production through design for manufacturability and assembly, supplier coordination, manufacturing documentation, and resolution of production and field issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years of relevant mechanical design and development experience, consistent with Level 65 classification.
• Demonstrated experience with 3D CAD, mechanical drawings, bills of material, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and configuration-controlled engineering data.
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis and with qualification testing of aerospace, defense, or other safety-critical hardware.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, test, and program teams.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting UAV, airborne, space, or defense hardware programs through design, integration, test, and production.
• Familiarity with composite structures, lightweight materials, environmental sealing, thermal management, and vibration or shock isolation.
• Experience using analysis tools such as ANSYS, NASTRAN, MATLAB, or equivalent structural and thermal engineering tools.
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD-810, RTCA DO-160, ASME Y14.5, or similar aerospace and defense design and qualification standards.
• Experience with supplier technical oversight, production transition, cost and schedule trade studies, and root-cause corrective action.

Workplace Options: This position is fully on-site.While on-site, you will be a part of the Manassas, VA activities.

Salary Note

Combined Salary Range

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans