Defense Contractor Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, MI

Description

Veterans Encouraged to Apply: Detroit Defense proudly supports those who have served. We welcome applicants with military experience, including those transitioning to civilian careers. Your leadership, adaptability, and mission-focused mindset are valued here. Detroit Defense is a 4x recipient of the Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award.

Detroit Defense is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to serve as the Technical Lead for a newly developed product for our military customer. This is a high visibility position that will drive the end-to-end development, integration, and fielding of cutting-edge hardware and software solutions for a mission critical defense application.

This Systems Engineer will act as the bridge between hardware and software teams, lead systems engineering documentation, coordinate field deployments, deliver training, and conduct demonstrations to internal and external stakeholders.

An ideal Systems Engineer candidate is a confident, customer-facing engineer who is comfortable running system demonstrations, presenting to senior leadership, and engaging directly with customers. This position requires strong technical breadth, clear communication, and the ability to translate complex systems into actionable, understandable results

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own technical direction for the program by providing vision, architecture, and roadmap guidance to ensure high quality fielding's.
• Develop, maintain, and review all system engineering artifacts (i.e. requirements, interface control documents, verification plans).
• Prepare and support technical reviews such as System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR).
• Serve as the primary integrator, aligning hardware with software components to ensure seamless interoperability.
• Lead design reviews, configuration management, and change control for integrated solutions.
• Lead concept, prototype, and test phases for emerging hardware solutions.
• Define test strategies, manage test labs, and oversee verification & validation activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute fielding activities, including logistics, site preparation, and onsite support.
• Conduct post deployment assessments and capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver "train the trainer" programs in preparation for New Equipment Training (NET). Conduct training as needed to support the logistics team.
• Plan and conduct systems demonstrations for internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and customer executives.
• Represent Detroit Defense confidently during high-visibility demonstrations, briefings, and technical discussions.
• Work cross-functionally with purchasing, sustainment, logistics, manufacturing, and business development.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, encouraging strong communication and collaboration to foster a supportive, skilled engineering environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. The minimum requirement to obtain this clearance is United States Citizenship. Only applicants meeting this minimum requirement will be considered.
• A minimum of ten years of experience in systems engineering, system integration, or product fielding.
• Demonstrated ability to lead integration and testing efforts across hardware and software systems.
• Must be comfortable conducting system demonstrations and technical presentations in front of senior and executive leadership, both internally and with customers.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in multidiscipline engineering environments.
• Good technical leadership, planning and organization/control skills.
• 20-25% travel will be required.

Detroit Defense offers an impressive compensation and benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
• Company Paid Life and AD&D
• Company Paid Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending & HSA Accounts
• Legal & ID Shield Services
• 401k with Company Match
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Why Detroit Defense:
At Detroit Defense, we deliver mission-critical solutions that enhance national security, protect the warfighter, and enable readiness through innovation, technical excellence, and end-to-end lifecycle support.

Remaining steadfast in our core values of Trustworthy, Mission Driven, Creative, and Agile we are a complex systems integrator for the U.S. Government, Detroit Defense provides solutions to meet the technical and programmatic challenges faced by our customers. Our proven success in multi-domain cross-platform system-of-systems integration results in fielded capability for warfighters. From R&D to production, fielding, and sustainment, Detroit Defense provides services and solutions to Empower Those That protect Us.

Detroit Defense is a proud recipient of the Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award since 2022.

Detroit Defense is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity or gender expression), age, mental or physical disability, creed, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic trait or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.