CHAOS Industries is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of advanced missile and UAV launcher systems. This role owns end-to-end mechanical design from concept through production and sustainment, collaborating across functions and providing technical management of subcontracts. The engineer will work hands-on in a fast-paced environment, owning hardware from concept through field deployment.

Responsibilities

Own mechanical architecture and integration of launcher systems across multiple platforms (ground and maritime)
Define and manage mechanical and electro-mechanical interfaces between missile, canister, and platform
Develop solutions for environmental protection and blast, plume, and thermal effects including gas management, shielding, and structural protection
Ensure compliance with safety interlock requirements and launch sequencing constraints.
Design mechanical safing features and contribute to system-level hazard analyses.
Design and develop mechanisms and actuation systems for deployment, retention, and release
Ensure compliance with relevant military standards
Serve as a primary technical hardware interface with customers, platform providers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Perform make/buy assessments
Lead integration of launcher systems onto mobile ground and maritime platforms, accounting for structural loads, motion environments, corrosion, and installation constraints
Support production transition, configuration control, and fielded system sustainment, including investigation and resolution of integration issues

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical design and system integration for aerospace or defense
Demonstrated experience designing missile launcher systems or closely related hardware
Strong background in structural design, mechanisms, and ruggedized hardware for harsh environments
Experience with electro-mechanical integration, including power and data interfaces and connector systems
Working knowledge of blast, thermal, and dynamic loads associated with rocket or missile systems
Familiarity with system safety principles, including safe-and-arm or fuzing interfaces and launch interlocks
Strong proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) and experience designing large assemblies
Solid understanding of mechanical interfaces, tolerancing, alignment, installation practices, and interface control documents (ICDs)
Experience interpreting and applying military standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810) and environmental qualification practices
Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and resolve cross-disciplinary integration challenges
Strong communication skills and ability to operate across multiple programs
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
Prior experience serving as a mechanical technical authority on a program
Experience planning, instrumenting, and executing hardware tests
Experience with designing and integrating mechanisms and actuation systems
Experience with system-level requirements allocation
Familiarity with vehicle integration constraints, including shock, vibration, transport, and operational loads
Experience with at least one commercial FEA or multiphysics simulation package (NASTRAN, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CFD codes, COMSOL, etc.)
Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes for mobile or deployable mechanical structures and mechanisms
Experience with prototyping, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and other fabrication techniques
Familiarity with military-style connectors (e.g., mil-circular 38999, ARINC, micro-D)

Benefits

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
Our Perks: Free daily lunch, ‘No meeting Fridays’, unlimited PTO, casual dress code
Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices