Lead Mechanical Engineer

✈️ Lead Mechanical Engineer📍 Greater Los Angeles Area💼 Full-time | On-siteCompany OverviewMy client designs and manufactures advanced antenna systems and related hardware for the aerospace, defense, space, and other high-performance industries.Position OverviewWe’re seeking a hands-on Lead Mechanical Engineer to serve as both a senior IC and people leader for a small mechanical engineering team. This role will combine direct design ownership with technical leadership, mentoring, and driving mechanical engineering best practices across product development.ResponsibilitiesLead a small Mechanical Engineering team, balancing hands-on technical leadership with resource planning, prioritization, mentoring, and performance management.Own mechanical engineering execution across new product development, sustaining engineering, and continuous improvement.Lead mechanical design from concept through CAD, analysis, drawings, design reviews, and production release.Drive DFM/DFA, engineering changes, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and product/process improvements.Lead environmental qualification and verification testing, including planning, execution, analysis, and documentation.Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Product, Sales, and customers on technical execution, requirements, feasibility, and new business efforts.Qualifications5+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experienceStrong proficiency with 3D CAD software for mechanical designExperience designing products for aerospace and/or defenseStrong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and tolerance stack-up analysisFamiliarity with aerospace/defense environmental and robustness standards: MIL-STD-810 and DO-160Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR/EAR regulations or otherwise be eligible to obtain required U.S. Government authorization to access export-controlled information.ITAR: Must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence ("Green Card" holder); or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person" under 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3).