Senior Mechanical Engineer/Site Manager

Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer/Site Manager

Segment:   Voyager Space - Defense (Valley Tech Systems)

Location:  Reno, NV

Job Type: Full Time  - Hybrid

Company Description: Voyager Space is dedicated to building a better future for humanity in space and on Earth. With over 35 years of spaceflight heritage and over 2,000 successful missions, Voyager is powering the commercial space revolution. Voyager delivers exploration, technology, and defense solutions to a global customer base that includes civil and national security agencies, commercial companies, academic and research institutions, and more.

Position Description:

The position will provide opportunities to work directly with technical peers, chief engineers, systems engineering and program managers within the company. The position is responsible for the mechanical engineering design and development of complex rocket motor systems and site manager of a team of approximately 25 engineers. This position is a dual-role position requiring the candidate to perform management activities as well as the individual's current program responsibilities. The additional responsibilities and requirements as an Engineering Site Manager are anticipated to be approximately 25 percent of the total job duties.

Responsibilities: 

This dual-role position requires the candidate to perform mechanical engineering tasks as well as site management of a team of Aerospace engineers: 

•           Mechanical Engineer V key responsibilities include:

Design

o          Has expertise in complex design challenges, optimizing actuator performance, designing specialized igniters, designing pressure vessels, designing solid rocket motor systems, and leading the development of hot gas valve and rocket thruster designs.

o          Can handle complex actuator designs, conduct thorough performance analysis, and implement innovative solutions.

o          Has expertise in trade-off analysis, integrating multidisciplinary considerations, and providing comprehensive recommendations for design optimization and decision-making.

Drafting/Modelling

o          Possesses exceptional skills in designing intricate 2D or 3D models, using advanced CAD commands, and generating technical drawings.

o          Can interpret complex GD&T symbols, analyze engineering drawings, and provide guidance on dimensional and tolerance requirements.

o          Can create intricate 3D models, use advanced features, and contribute to the development of solid modeling practices within the software.

Analysis

o          Has expertise in complex simulation setups, analysis techniques, structural analysis, dynamic analysis, and thermal analysis.

o          Can handle complex simulations, validate models, and make informed engineering decisions.

o          Can interpret and validate dynamic analysis results, optimize structural designs, and address thermal management challenges.

o          Has expertise in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing principles, statistical tolerance analysis methods, and virtual inspection techniques.

Materials

o          Possesses expertise in advanced ceramic properties, insulator material characterization, and advanced metal types.

o          Can conduct detailed characterization, develop customized solutions, contribute to research and innovation, provide expert consultation, lead research projects, and optimize metal selection for challenging applications.

o          Has expertise in refractory metal types, their properties, behavior at extreme temperatures, and processing techniques.

Manufacturing

o          Possesses expertise in complex additive manufacturing, mechanical assembly, composite layups, machining techniques, molding and casting, and manufacturing planning.

o          Can optimize designs, select materials, and conduct quality control checks.

o          Can lead assembly teams, interpret assembly drawings, and provide technical guidance.

o          Can design and fabricate complex molds, optimize processes, and provide expert consultation on planning strategies.

o          Understands how to handle complex welding tasks, including interpreting symbols and conducting inspections.

Communications

o          Possesses exceptional skills in communication theories, presentation design, technical presentation, and writing specialized technical documents.

o          Can provide expert guidance on complex communication challenges, develop compelling narratives, tailor content for specific audiences, and provide expert consultation on presentation strategies and audience engagement methods.

o          Excels in writing technical documents with precision and accuracy.

Testing

o          Possesses extensive knowledge in test assembly and integration, data acquisition systems, statistical modeling, multivariate analysis, time series analysis, measurement techniques, and test strategies.

o          Can lead activities, design complex setups, develop custom fixtures, optimize testing processes, troubleshoot instrumentation, and analyze measurement uncertainties.

o          Are a recognized authority in the field, capable of handling large-scale, high-risk test programs.

o          Systems Engineering

o          Possesses advanced knowledge of mass estimation techniques, managing complex acquisition programs, and identifying potential risks.

o          Has experience in requirements engineering methodologies and can lead teams, perform traceability, and drive continuous improvement.

o          Are a recognized authority in risk management, providing strategic guidance, conducting complex risk assessments, designing enterprise-wide programs, and mentoring others in the discipline.

Project Management

o          Possesses the ability to prepare basic financial statements, lead diverse teams, handle complex operational problems, lead strategic procurement initiatives, craft persuasive proposals, and manage complex schedules for large-scale projects.

o          Can handle complex operational problems, formulate and solve advanced optimization models, and provide actionable insights for decision-making.

o          Has expertise in fostering innovation, implementing strategic initiatives, and managing change effectively.

Ballistics

o          Possesses expertise in propellant chemistry, grain design optimization, advanced ballistics modeling, and experimental validation, and can contribute to the formulation and manufacturing of solid propellant compositions, understanding safety considerations and performing basic testing.

System Performance

o          Has expertise in designing complex control systems, analyzing system dynamics, and integrating components and sensors.

o          Can lead requirements engineering efforts, facilitate stakeholder collaboration, and contribute to standards development.

o          Has expertise in advanced modeling techniques, including combustion modeling and transient response prediction.

Avionics

o          Can independently apply fundamental battery design principles, handle complex design challenges, create basic circuit board layouts, analyze ignition system performance for rocket engines, and independently create basic software architectures. They can also analyze cable routing, optimize designs for signal integrity, and create moderately complex designs.

o          Can handle battery, cable, circuit board, rocket engine, and software design challenges while adhering to standard specifications and guidelines.

o          Other related job duties, as assigned

•           Engineering Site Manager key responsibilities include: 

o          Be the “first person” representing the Reno Engineering team to visitors of the facility. Be an ambassador for the Voyager Defense Segment Reno Site, passionate about the technology and programs 

o          Monitor the morale & motivation of the team. Communicate the company objectives & maintain regular information sharing relevant to the team

o          Work with program management and senior leadership to ensure engineering staff is performing on directed tasks, make engineering staffing adjustments as program demands change 

o          Support performance appraisals throughout the annual review cycle including performance-based merit increase recommendations, promotion recommendations, and conducting annual performance reviews aligned with company, engineering department, and individual contributor goals, business strategies, and overall contribution

o          Support individual contributor goal development and monitor and coach contributors in support of successfully completing company, department, and individual goals

o          Review and track contributor timecards ensuring the contributor is following the time keeping policy.  

o          Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering team

o          Foster a culture of learning, professional growth, and knowledge sharing among the engineering team members through training, mentorship, and skill development initiatives

o          Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching, feedback and opportunities for growth 

o          Identify training needs for the team and/or individuals within the team to help develop their career

o          Ensure team adherence to engineering best practice, standards, and processes

o          Identify resource needs, allocate staffing accordingly, and participate in the recruitment and hiring process as needed

Requirements:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering from an accredited university
• Ten (10) to Fifteen (15) years of mechanical engineering experience in similar position
• Demonstrated experience managing a high performing aerospace technical team of 10 or more
• Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time

Preferences:

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering from an accredited university
• Rocket motor design and testing experience

Voyager Space offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package, retirement savings, wellness program, and various other benefits. When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voyager Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.