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Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Utah

$89K/yr

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense ... Serve as a Mechanical Engineer with responsibility for the design of mechanical equipment and ...

Our Defense team in Salt Lake is eagerly looking for a skilled Electro-Mechanical Engineer to join their dynamic team. This role serves as the technical lead for investigating and preventing ...

$89K/yr

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense ... Serve as a Mechanical Engineer with responsibility for the design of mechanical equipment and ...

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Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer information

What does an entry level defense mechanical engineer do?

An Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer assists in designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems and components used in defense applications, such as vehicles, weapon systems, and support equipment. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, helping to create technical drawings, perform simulations, and ensure products meet strict safety and quality standards. Their work often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams and adhering to government regulations and security protocols. This role provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and opportunities to grow within the defense industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level defense mechanical engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), engineering simulation tools, and understanding of industry standards like ASME or MIL-STD is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills are crucial for collaborating on complex defense projects. These skills and qualifications are vital for delivering innovative, reliable solutions while meeting rigorous safety and performance standards in defense environments.

What types of projects and tasks can an entry level defense mechanical engineer expect to work on in their first year?

As an Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of tasks that support the design, analysis, and testing of military equipment and systems. Typical responsibilities include creating and modifying CAD models, assisting with prototype fabrication, conducting performance tests, and preparing technical documentation. You will often collaborate closely with senior engineers, cross-functional teams, and suppliers to solve engineering challenges and ensure projects meet strict safety and quality standards. This hands-on experience provides a solid foundation for future advancement within the defense industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer vs Entry Level Aerospace Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Defense Mechanical EngineerEntry Level Aerospace Mechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, security clearance often preferredBachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, security clearance may be required
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government agencies, military facilitiesAerospace companies, aircraft manufacturers, government aerospace agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in defense and military sectorsPrimarily in aerospace and aviation sectors

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and may involve security clearances. While they share similar work environments and employer types, defense mechanical engineers focus on military applications, whereas aerospace mechanical engineers specialize in aircraft and spacecraft design. Understanding these differences helps candidates target their job search effectively.

What cities in Utah are hiring for Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Utah with the most Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Defense Mechanical Engineer job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

$89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 539 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) & Major Range & Test Facilities Base (MRTFB) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: Serve as a Mechanical Engineer with responsibility for the design of mechanical equipment and related features of ammunition equipment.Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for a Mechanical Engineer:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Preparing the design, development, or modernization of industrial equipment, consumer equipment, or munitions related equipment. 2) Determine engineering approaches involving principles such as pneumatics, hydraulics, machine design, etc. to compute load, strength, stresses and/or operations of mechanisms or equipment. 3) Preparing and/or reviewing project documents (such as drawings, specifications, etc.) to ensure equipment and/or components comply with specifications. 4) Creating solid models and technical drawings using a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) program. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.Education:FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/Employment Type: OTHER

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