Entry Level Defense Contractor Jobs in Tennessee

Amentum Advanced Solutions is a performance unit of our Engineering & Technology (E&T) Line of Business. The Amentum Advanced Solutions specializes in the design, construction, and operation of unique and complex research and development facilities, including, as examples, wind tunnels (aerospace, automotive, and motorsports), rocket test stands, climatic chambers, jet engine test cells, acoustic chambers, altitude test facilities, captive trajectory systems, and nuclear facilities. Our projects span the automotive, motorsports, defense, nuclear, and aerospace markets. Recent clients include Audi, Boeing, BMW, Ford, Honda, General Motors, NASA, Stellantis, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Energy, Volkswagen, and many others in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Most of your designs will be unique, and you will usually be working on several projects at one time in a dynamic, challenging, and engaging environment. Many designs are "blank sheet of paper," with few analogs or comparisons. This position will provide you with an exciting opportunity to join Machine Design projects as part of a multi-discipline team of professionals. We are looking for an entry-level or early career Mechanical Engineer with strong technical skills, academic achievement, and sense of ownership.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Projects are often complex and multi-discipline. For the majority of assignments, junior-mid Engineers will be issued specific objectives, approaches, and possible solutions by a supervising engineer. The junior-mid Engineer:

• Independently but with guidance from a more senior engineer, performs project assignments that involve few complex features and can be guided by codes, standards, and other precedents of the discipline.
• Analyzes and/or evaluates the results of an analysis using techniques prescribed by senior engineers or supervisors.
• Accomplishes, complete tasks of well-defined scope or solves problems which require investigation of a limited and well-defined number of variables.
• Prepares technical reports, presentations, and calculations.
• Coordinates with designer/drafters.
• May formally review the work of others for techniques and technical approach, if in area of specific technical expertise.
• Supports interface development with other disciplines, working closely with machine design, structural, mechanical process, controls and instrumentation, and aerodynamics/fluid dynamics engineers.
• Participates in the production of complete design packages, including detailed drawings, calculations, and specifications, as required.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• B.S.M.E. from an accredited engineering school
• Minimum of Three (3) years' relevant Mechanical Engineering experience (see "Adjacent Industries" below)

Key Skills:

• Strong mechanical engineering analytical skills - kinematics, dynamics, stress/strain, power transmission, etc.
• FEA - static stress-strain, natural frequency
• Pressure vessel design

Preferred Qualifications:

• Design for small-scale fabrication & manufacturing (milling, turning, welding, laser-cutting, forming, etc.)
• FEA - thermal, non-linear, forced mode dynamics and multi-physics analysis, Ansys preferred.
• Design experience with ASME B&PV Section VII, Div I & Div II
• Design for assembly & installation
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in employing GD&T/ASTM Y14.5 in detailed design drawings; understanding of tolerance, fits, and stack-up analysis
• Scope/Schedule/Budget management
• 3D CAD experience, Inventor or Solidworks preferred
• Fluid Power - employing pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders, valve stand design, P&IDs, etc.
• Basic experience with instrumentation (proximity sensors, vision sensors, strain gauges, scales, etc.)
• Installation Support and Supervision - guiding and answering suppliers, sub-contractors and other trades questions from the office and on-site

Adjacent Industries

• Aerospace & Defense Mechanical Design
• Factory Automation (material handling, web handling, process automation, etc.)
• Fluid Power (Hydraulics/Pnumatics)

Essential Functions
Unusual or Special Physical Requirements of Position

• Must be able to sit at a desk for long periods of time (90%)
• Must be able to work at a computer for long periods of time (90%)
• Special clothing/equipment and other PPE may be required during site visits (1%)
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs

Description of Work Environment

• Work will mainly be performed in an inside office environment (90%)
• Field work may be required including outside work (15%)
• Travel may be required to perform field work at project sites or to attend customer meetings - 1-3 days per quarter

Office Environment

• Office equipment/machines
• During travel to project sites handheld equipment such as tape measures, cameras, etc (10%)
• Office equipment (Computers, fax, telephones, copiers etc.) 90 %

Criticality of Attendance

• Regular attendance is mandatory Monday thru Thur 7:30 am to 5:15 pm & Fri 7:30 to 11:30 am (100%).
• Occasional overtime may be required to meet demanding project schedules

Other Essential Functions

• Must take and pass a pre-employment drug and background test.

Compensation Details:
$89,606 to $129,606
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview:
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting:
08/06/2026 - Until Filled
Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.