Lead Mechanical Engineer

About the Role

The AAR Lead Mechanical Engineer leads the creative design and development of aerial/air‑to‑air refueling products, participating from project initiation through manufacturing launch and ongoing support. This role involves analysis and refinement of product requirements, development of design solutions, testing, certification, and qualification for performance, reliability, DFMA, and cost optimization. Key responsibilities include coordinating product design activities within scope, cost, and schedule constraints, reviewing peer analysis and test results, documenting multi‑disciplinary requirements, and serving as the technical interface with internal and external customers and suppliers. The role also drives risk and opportunity identification, mentors less‑experienced engineers, supports Model Based Engineering (MBE) and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) compliance, and manages engineering changes for production and field issues. • Lead design and development of aerial refueling products from concept through launch. • Conduct requirement analysis, develop solutions, and ensure testing, certification, and performance qualification. • Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including engineering, program management, operations, sourcing, and manufacturing. • Guide technical teams through gated aerospace design reviews and ensure regulatory compliance. • Coordinate design activities within project scope, cost, and schedule constraints. • Review and validate peer analysis and test results for completeness and quality. • Document multidisciplinary requirements such as mechanical, electro‑mechanical, software, reliability, and safety. • Act as primary technical interface with internal/external customers, suppliers, and stakeholders. • Identify and mitigate risks while capturing opportunities in new designs and product improvements. • Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge transfer. • Support Model Based Engineering (MBE) and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes. • Manage engineering change orders for production and field issues.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸requirement analysis
• ▸design review
• ▸mbe/mbse
• ▸change management
• ▸risk mitigation
• ▸aerial design

What You Bring

The engineer collaborates closely with the Engineering Manager, Program Manager, subject‑matter experts, chief engineers, other mechanical and system architects, electrical/software engineers, product line managers, operations, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to deliver products efficiently. Experience applying aerospace design processes and leading technical teams through gated design reviews is required. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET‑accredited program, at least five years of system or product design experience, and U.S. citizenship. Preferred credentials include a master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering, seven years of aerospace‑related experience, five years leading product development, Six Sigma Green‑ or Black‑belt, and intermediate proficiency with CREO and configuration management. Position criteria emphasize demonstrated technical leadership, strong communication and collaboration with customers, creativity, strategic thinking, ability to multi‑task in a rapidly changing environment, and familiarity with tools such as CREO, DOORS, DFSS, DFM, DFMEA, DOE, and RCCA. The company is an equal‑opportunity employer and offers benefits subject to eligibility factors. • Hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET) and U.S. citizenship; master’s degree preferred. • Minimum 5 years system/product design experience; 7 years aerospace/mechanical/hydraulic experience preferred. • Five years leading product development efforts with requirements validation and customer engagement. • Six Sigma Green‑ or Black‑belt certification; proficiency with CREO, DOORS, and configuration management. • Knowledge of DFSS, DFM, DFMEA, DOE, RCCA, and manufacturing processes/material selection. • Ability to multi‑task, prioritize, and think strategically in a fast‑changing environment.

Requirements

• ▸bachelor's
• ▸six sigma
• ▸creo
• ▸doors
• ▸dfss
• ▸aerospace

Work Environment

Onsite