Mechanical Engineer - RF Power Amplifiers

Position Summary:
The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the mechanical design, update, and analysis of enclosures and packaging for RF power amplifier products — from amplifier modules through rack-mount systems and tactical booster amplifiers. This is a mid-level, largely independent role: the engineer owns mechanical design decisions for the product line, from concept through production and field support, and is the sole mechanical engineer embedded in a cross-functional team of electrical, RF, and PCB layout engineers. The role also provides technical oversight and review of a Mechanical Draftsperson's work, ensuring drawings, models, and documentation meet engineering intent and quality standards.
Essential Duties:
Design, update, and analyze mechanical enclosures, chassis, and packaging for RF power amplifier products, balancing electrical performance, thermal management, manufacturability, and cost.
Perform detailed 3-D modeling, drawings, and design work in SolidWorks for new product development as well as sustaining/legacy product support.
Conduct thermal and cooling analysis (heat sinking, airflow, conduction/convection paths) for high-power RF amplifier assemblies to manage thermal performance under sustained load.
Perform finite element analysis (structural, thermal, vibration, shock) to validate enclosure and packaging designs.
Design for machined metal manufacturing — CNC machining, casting, extrusion — as well as sheet metal fabrication; specify materials, surface finishes, coatings, and platings appropriate for RF and thermal performance.
Drive Value Add/Value Engineering (VAVE) activities within the product line including cost/benefit analysis and researching alternative manufacturing options.
Design mechanical interconnects, EMI/RFI shielding, and environmental sealing (IP-rated gasketing) for enclosures.
Own product configuration and documentation: BOM management, assembly guides, exploded views, drawing packages, and configuration/change control (ECO/ECR) through the PLM system.
Review, redline, and approve models and drawings produced by the Mechanical Draftsperson; provide day-to-day technical direction, mentorship, and quality oversight of drafting work — without formal supervisory/HR responsibility.
Partner closely with electrical engineers, RF engineers, and the PCB layout engineer to integrate mechanical packaging with circuit boards, RF components, connectors, and system-level requirements; this role is the sole mechanical engineer supporting the team.
Support prototyping (3D printing, machined prototypes) and apply DFM/DFA/DFT principles to improve manufacturability, testability, and cost.
Troubleshoot and provide mechanical design support across the full product life cycle — from initial specification through qualification, production, and field support.
Prepare technical reports, proposals, and cost estimates; prepare and deliver presentations and participate in design reviews.
Interface with manufacturing, suppliers, and, as needed, customers to resolve mechanical design, fabrication, and quality issues.
Identify and specify fasteners, connectors, and hardware appropriate for RF amplifier assemblies.
Research and recommend materials, processes, tools, and suppliers to advance mechanical engineering capability within the product line.
Education / Experience:
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related field)
Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-marking, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs
Approximately 4 - 7 years of experience in mechanical design of electronic or electromechanical packaging/enclosures, with demonstrated ability to work independently
Hands-on experience designing for machined metal manufacturing processes (CNC machining, casting, extrusion) required; sheet metal fabrication experience a plus
Experience with thermal management and cooling design for power electronics, RF, or similar high-heat-density assemblies required
Proficiency with SolidWorks (modeling, drawings, and simulation/FEA tools) required
Experience reviewing or directing the work of a drafter, designer, or junior engineer preferred
Experience with PLM and BOM management systems (e.g., Arena) preferred
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC and IP-rated (ingress protection) design standards a plus
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)
Skills and Abilities:
Self-starter, comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, resource-lean engineering environment as the sole mechanical engineer on the team.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; able to work effectively with electrical, RF, and PCB layout engineers to reconcile mechanical, electrical, and RF design constraints.
Able to provide clear technical direction and constructive review of