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Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design Jobs

Firefly Aerospace

WI · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

SUMMARY The Mechanical Engineering Deputy Director will provide technical leadership for mechanical, architectural, and structural design and analysis of Firefly's launch vehicle and spacecraft ...

New

Cannonball Recruiting

Mechanical Design Engineer

Denton, TX · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Mechanical Engineer (Manufacturing / 3D CAD Focus) Location: Denton, TX Salary: $85,000-$100,000 We ... Benefits : Eligible after 60 days of direct employment * 1st year, accumulate 15 days of PTO- 3 ...

Verto People

Mechanical Design Engineer

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer / HVAC Design Engineer / Mechanical Engineer Fort Worth, TX Up to $130,000 A Mechanical Design Engineer is required for a commercial HVAC and MEP design-build role based in ...

Actalent

Mechanical Engineer III

Durham, NC

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer III The Mechanical Engineer III focuses on the design and ... Direct design activities across all phases of a project, including studies, conceptual and ...

New

BioFire Diagnostics

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Hazelwood, MO · On-site

$104K - $125K/yr

Associate Director - Mechanical Engineering Position Summary Local Position Summary This lead engineer works primarily with the mechanical design aspects of consumables and reagents team ...

Biomerieux

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Hazelwood, MO · On-site

$102K - $123K/yr

Associate Director - Mechanical Engineering Position Summary Local Position Summary This lead engineer works primarily with the mechanical design aspects of consumables and reagents team ...

bioMerieux

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Hazelwood, MO · On-site

$104K - $125K/yr

Associate Director - Mechanical Engineering Position Summary Local Position Summary This lead engineer works primarily with the mechanical design aspects of consumables and reagents team ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsMechanical Engineer Firearms Design JobsDirector Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design Jobs

Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design information

See salary details

$45.5K

$91.6K

$136.5K

How much do director mechanical engineer firearms design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director mechanical engineer firearms design in the United States is $91,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design vs Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design?

AspectDirector Mechanical Engineer Firearms DesignMechanical Engineer Firearms Design
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign and development tasks, hands-on engineering work
Industry UsageSenior-level positions in firearms manufacturing companiesDesign and development roles within firearms companies
Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership and strategic responsibilitiesFocused on technical design and engineering tasks

The main difference is that the Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design holds a leadership role overseeing teams and strategy, while the Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design focuses on technical design and development tasks. Both roles require strong engineering credentials, but the director position emphasizes management and strategic planning within the firearms industry.

What are some common challenges a director mechanical engineer faces when leading firearms design projects?

As a Director Mechanical Engineer in firearms design, one of the main challenges is balancing innovative product development with strict regulatory and safety compliance. Coordinating multidisciplinary teams—including design, testing, and manufacturing—requires excellent communication and project management skills, especially when timelines are tight. Staying ahead of technological advancements while ensuring reliability and manufacturability can also be demanding. Additionally, managing stakeholder expectations and integrating feedback from law enforcement, military, or commercial clients are critical aspects of the role.

What does a director mechanical engineer in firearms design do?

A Director Mechanical Engineer in Firearms Design oversees the engineering team responsible for developing, testing, and refining firearm products. They lead the design process from concept through production, ensuring that safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance are met. This role involves collaborating with other departments, managing project timelines, and implementing the latest technologies and materials. Additionally, they play a key part in problem-solving and innovation within firearm design and manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director mechanical engineer in firearms design?

To thrive as a Director Mechanical Engineer in Firearms Design, you need advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, firearms design, and manufacturing processes, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering and extensive industry experience. Expertise with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), familiarity with prototyping tools, and understanding of regulatory compliance (like ATF requirements) are essential. Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure safe, innovative product development and effective coordination of multidisciplinary teams in a highly regulated industry.
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What cities are hiring for Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design jobs? Cities with the most Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design job openings:
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Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Mechanical Engineer Firearms Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,578 per year, or $44 per hour.

Deputy Director, Mechanical Engineering

Firefly Aerospace

Cedar Park, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Firefly Aerospace rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.
SUMMARY
The Mechanical Engineering Deputy Director will provide technical leadership for mechanical, architectural, and structural design and analysis of Firefly's launch vehicle and spacecraft products. This role ensures consistent engineering rigor, sound technical decision-making, and disciplined execution across structures, mechanisms, loads & dynamics, stress analysis, and integrated mechanical systems.
The Deputy Director partners closely with the Director of Mechanical Engineering and program leadership to support development, test, production, and flight readiness. The role owns technical decisions, engineering standards, change activity, production support, escalation paths and mentoring engineers - while enabling teams to execute efficiently and independently.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Authority & Decision Ownership
  • Serve as technical authority and approver for mechanical hardware decisions, including design changes, ECOs/CRs, and release packages; ensure trades, assumptions, analyses, and test data are technically sound and defensible.
  • Lead and arbitrate cross-disciplinary technical trades impacting vehicle performance, reliability, manufacturability, and certification.
  • Own mechanical and structural requirements, verification methods, compliance evidence, and acceptance criteria.

Analysis, Verification & Test Rigor
  • Guide and approve analysis methodologies and reports, including FEA, classical hand calculations, margins philosophy, loads & dynamics, and test correlation.
  • Drive hardware development and qualification test definition, standards, and guidelines.
  • Provide technical oversight of test operations, including test readiness reviews and evaluation of test plans for thoroughness, quality, and adherence to applicable standards.

Execution Support & Issue Resolution
  • Partner with Manufacturing, Reliability/Quality, and Program teams to resolve integration, build, and production issues and ensure integration-ready hardware.
  • Maintain engineering rigor through change activity, NCRs, RCCAs, and anomaly investigations.

Continuous Improvement & Engineering Standards
  • Ensure lessons learned and test findings are incorporated into future standards and designs.
  • Drive continuous improvement in engineering quality, reliability, cost, and lead-time.

Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to mechanical engineering teams, elevating technical judgment, review readiness, and overall engineering quality.
  • Collaborate effectively with other technical and support organizations to optimize workflow and execution across the company.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Education & Experience
  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
  • 10+ years of experience in mechanical and/or structural design, analysis, and qualification for aerospace systems.

Technical Authority & Engineering Judgment
  • Demonstrated experience owning technical decisions, design reviews, change control, and NCR/RCCA disposition.
  • Proven ability to translate complex technical problems into clear, defensible engineering decisions backed by physics, data, and sound judgment.

Analysis, Structures, & Verification
  • Deep understanding of:
    • FEM/FEA and classical hand analysis and verification methods
    • Structural mechanics and load paths
    • Materials and fracture mechanics
    • Loads and Dynamic Analysis and testing
    • Configuration control and compliance evidence

Manufacturing & Materials
  • Working knowledge of composite manufacturing methods, material selection, testing, characterization, and allowables development.

Technical Leadership & Rigor
  • Strong documentation rigor and configuration control discipline; sets the standard for technical quality.
  • Track record of elevating engineering teams through mentorship, technical leadership, and raising the bar on review readiness.

Desired
Advanced Expertise
  • M.S. or PhD in a relevant discipline.
  • Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, technical authority, or structural signatory for launch vehicle or spacecraft flight programs.
  • Expertise in advanced structures, such as composites, bonded assemblies, cryogenic tanks, reusable structures, or high-rate production environments.

Cross-Disciplinary & Tools
  • Strong cross-disciplinary instincts; able to connect structures decisions to propulsion, mechanisms, loads & dynamics, and integration constraints.
  • Strong design and integration skills using 3D CAD software (Siemens NX preferred).
  • Demonstrated experience with industry FEA/FEM tools (ANSYS, Nastran, FEMAP, etc.).
  • Working knowledge of at least one computer or scripting language at a hobbyist level or professional.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.
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.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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