Mechanical Engineer

 

Mechanical Engineer

Tiberius Aerospace Inc.

Location: Orange County, California, or Tucson, Arizona
Team: Engineering
Commitment: Full-time
Reports to: Shawn Gilmore
Equity: Offered
Pay range 120,000–170,000 annual base salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus annual bonus and equity

About Tiberius Aerospace

Tiberius Aerospace builds next-generation weapon systems for the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies. We design, test and validate, then license production to qualified manufacturers and allied nations so they can build sovereign capacity. We call it Defense as a Service: tight hardware and software integration, fast iteration, and systems that keep improving after they’re fielded.

Our portfolio spans SCEPTRE, a ramjet-powered 155mm artillery round; INVICTUS, a ramjet strike missile; VAULT, a containerized launch system for ground, maritime and air platforms; and GRAIL, our AI platform connecting buyers, OEMs, suppliers and capital across the defense industrial base. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

Location

Based in Orange County, California, or Tucson, Arizona. This role involves hands-on work with hardware, suppliers and test teams. Travel may be required between company locations, manufacturing partners and test facilities.

Position Overview

We’re looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, build and test hardware for Tiberius’s aerospace and defense systems. You’ll turn requirements into practical mechanical designs, support prototype builds, and use analysis and test results to improve performance, reliability and manufacturability.

Reporting to Shawn Gilmore, you’ll work with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers and program teams to take components and assemblies from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration and testing.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer with a minimum of three years of professional mechanical engineering experience who is comfortable owning hardware, resolving technical problems and working through fast development cycles.

Decision rights: You own assigned component and assembly designs, supporting calculations, drawings and technical documentation. System requirements, design release, qualification criteria and changes affecting safety, cost or schedule are reviewed with Shawn Gilmore and the appropriate technical leads.

What You’ll Do

• Design mechanical components, assemblies, interfaces and supporting hardware for aerospace and defense applications.
• Develop concepts, detailed CAD models, engineering drawings and bills of materials.
• Use engineering calculations and appropriate analysis methods to evaluate designs before hardware is built.
• Select materials, manufacturing processes, tolerances and fastening methods suited to performance and production requirements.
• Work directly with suppliers and manufacturing teams to resolve fabrication and assembly issues.
• Support prototype builds, hardware integration, instrumentation and testing.
• Investigate failures and discrepancies, identify root causes and implement design improvements.
• Maintain clear design documentation and configuration control throughout development.

Core Responsibilities

Mechanical Design and Development

• Translate system and subsystem requirements into mechanical designs with clear interfaces and acceptance criteria.
• Develop parts and assemblies that balance performance, weight, cost, reliability and manufacturing constraints.
• Design mechanical interfaces, mounting features, housings, brackets, fixtures and other hardware appropriate to assigned programs.
• Perform tolerance analyses and ensure assemblies can be manufactured, inspected, assembled and serviced.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate design decisions, assumptions, risks and trade-offs.

Engineering Analysis

• Apply first-principles calculations to assess loads, stresses, deflections, thermal expansion and mechanical behavior.
• Use finite element analysis where appropriate, with review and support from structural-analysis specialists.
• Evaluate material properties, joint behavior, load paths and factors of safety against applicable requirements.
• Identify where additional analysis or testing is needed and coordinate with the relevant technical specialists.
• Document methods, assumptions and results so design decisions are traceable.

Materials and Manufacturing

• Select materials and processes based on operating conditions, durability, availability and production needs.
• Apply design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly principles throughout development.
• Work with machine shops, fabricators and other suppliers to confirm feasibility and resolve technical questions.
• Develop clear drawings using appropriate geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Support inspection planning, first-article reviews and disposition of nonconforming hardware with quality and technical leadership.

Prototype Builds and Integration

• Support the procurement, assembly and integration of development hardware.
• Design tooling, assembly aids and test fixtures as needed.
• Resolve fit, access, alignment and interface issues during builds.
• Coordinate mechanical integration with electrical, propulsion, controls and other engineering disciplines.
• Capture build feedback and incorporate improvements into subsequent design iterations.

Test and Validation

• Help develop test plans, procedures and acceptance criteria for assigned hardware.
• Support test setup, instrumentation, execution and post-test inspection.
• Compare test results with predictions and identify discrepancies requiring further investigation.
• Investigate failures and implement corrective actions with the broader engineering team.
• Support environmental, vibration, thermal and mechanical testing as applicable to the program.

Documentation and Configuration Control

• Maintain CAD models, drawings, bills of materials and supporting engineering records.
• Follow design release and engineering change processes.
• Track hardware revisions and ensure teams and suppliers use the correct technical baseline.
• Communicate technical status, open issues and schedule risks to Shawn Gilmore and program stakeholders.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of three years of professional mechanical engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience designing and supporting the build of physical hardware—not solely creating CAD models.
• Proficiency with a professional 3D CAD system and production-quality engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of mechanics of materials, statics, dynamics, material selection and thermal expansion.
• Experience performing engineering calculations and interpreting analysis results to guide design decisions.
• Working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance analysis and mechanical interfaces.
• Familiarity with machining, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing or other relevant manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting prototype assembly, hardware integration or testing.
• Ability to investigate technical problems, identify root causes and document corrective actions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, quality and supplier teams.
• Ability to manage assigned work, communicate risks early and follow through in a fast-moving environment.

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, missile systems, propulsion, launch systems or other demanding hardware environments.
• Experience with hardware exposed to high temperatures, vibration, shock, pressure or other challenging operating conditions.
• Proficiency with CATIA, including 3D part and assembly modeling and engineering drawing development.
• Experience using ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN or comparable engineering analysis software.
• Experience designing mechanical joints, seals, pressure-containing components or precision assemblies.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials, heat treatments, coatings and corrosion protection.
• Experience supporting environmental testing, qualification activities or model-to-test correlation.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems and controlled engineering release processes.
• Experience working with external manufacturing partners to move hardware from prototype to repeatable production.

What We’re Looking For

• An engineer who takes ownership from concept through tested hardware.
• A practical problem-solver who starts with first principles and validates assumptions.
• A hands-on builder who works effectively with technicians, suppliers and manufacturing teams.
• Someone who balances development speed with sound engineering judgment and clear documentation.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, changing requirements and rapid iteration.
• Mission first. Focused on delivering reliable hardware that meets operational needs.

Growth Opportunity

You’ll contribute directly to the development of Tiberius’s aerospace and defense hardware and gain experience across design, manufacturing, integration and testing. As your technical judgment and ownership grow, you’ll have the opportunity to lead more complex components, assemblies and subsystem development efforts.

How We Support You

• Competitive salary, annual bonus and equity
• Medical, dental and vision, fully employer-paid for you and your family
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance, employer-paid
• HSA, FSA and dependent care FSA
• 401(k), standard and Roth
• Unlimited PTO, sick leave, paid holidays and paid parental leave

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tiberius Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [email protected].

Tiberius Aerospace participates in E-Verify. This role may require U.S. person status under ITAR.