Mechanical Engineer II or III

Why join the IPS Team?

IPS Custom Automation is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions for the defense and energetics industries. We specialize in the design, engineering, and integration of turnkey production lines for energetics materials and munitions. Our solutions serve government agencies, military contractors, and defense OEMs worldwide.

Who Our New Team Member Will Be:

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer (II or III level) who can independently lead complex mechanical engineering work supporting commercial and U.S. Department of War (DoW) programs. This role applies broad technical experience to design, develop, analyze, and optimize mechanical systems while meeting ISO standards, federal regulations, company policies, and customer requirements. The Mechanical Engineer III serves as a senior technical contributor, leads defined project scopes, reviews the work of other engineers, mentors less experienced team members, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions from concept through completion.

What Our Mechanical Engineer II or III will do:

Essential Job Functions/Duties

• Analyze and integrate requirements from various sources (e.g., dynamics, stress, systems, thermal, manufacturing) to ensure all applicable specifications are included in product designs

• Serve as key interface with external vendors and stakeholders, collaborating to ensure project requirements (e.g., technical, safety, and quality) are met; Assist in resolving technical issues as they arise

• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in cross-functional team meetings with Controls, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain; Contribute to product development and supports the integration of mechanical components into overall product designs

• Assist in managing the project lifecycle by participating in planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk assessment, contributing to successful and timely project delivery

• Support program scheduling and works to ensure engineering deliverables meet established program milestones and timelines

• Conduct advanced/detailed tolerance stack and clearance analyses, applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to validate mechanical integrity and functionality

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by enhancing design processes, workflows, and tools to increase efficiency, quality, and consistency within the engineering team

• Manage Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to implement design changes effectively and maintain accurate documentation

• Participate in and occasionally leads projects focused on developing and improving engineering processes with a focus on alignment with ISO 9001 standards

• Utilize SolidWorks to generate and update drawings and models, release engineering work in the system, and ensure documentation accuracy during high-demand periods

• Contributes to the creation and maintenance of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) sections related to the mechanical engineering scope, ensuring clarity and accuracy in technical documentation

• Provides hands-on support for mechanical assembly processes and assists with site installations, ensuring proper implementation and functionality of designs

• Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, helping them develop skills in design best practices, problem-solving techniques, and understanding design intent

• Performs other job duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by management

• Travels as required

• Has the ability to obtain and maintain a USG security clearance

Minimum Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineer II:

  •  Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with at least 2 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering

• Mechanical Engineer III:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with at least 5 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering

• Technical Skills:

  • Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Teams), specifically Excel and PowerPoint

  • Demonstrated ability to manage the scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical execution of assigned work packages

  • Intermediate to Advanced experience with:

    • SolidWorks PDM (CAD data management) software

    • Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) software

    • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for mechanical design validation

    • Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5-2018 standards

    • Analyzing tolerance stacks to ensure product fit and performance

    • Engineering Change Management processes (ECR/ECO/ECN)

    • ISO 9001 (QMS) and process improvement initiatives

  • Demonstrated skills in creating technical documentation, including O&M manuals, procedures, and engineering reports

• Cultural Fit:

  • Technical ownership, sound judgment, and willingness to mentor others

  • Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in written format (i.e., delivering presentations)

  • Proven ability to review work and mentor less experienced engineers

  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

  • High attention to detail

  • Ability to solve problems and identify solutions

  • Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: A desire to continually learn and explore new approaches and technologies

  • Desire for Continuous Improvement: Actively seek opportunities for process improvement, driving change in the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks & SolidWorks PDM

• Experience with defense, energetics, hazardous-location, robotic, high-speed automation, or other highly regulated manufacturing systems

• Experience with complex machine, fixture and tooling design

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Environment is neutral with low to moderate noise exposure, is semi-seated position requiring the extended use of a computer and computer equipment

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach, lift with arms and hands (25 lbs or less), climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Our team gains more than just compensation with IPS:

• 401K with company match

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• PTO

• Life and Accidental Death Insurance

• Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Please contact:

Human Resources at hr@ipstx.com

Interview Plan: Initial Teams meeting with HR or Hiring Manager (shared screen with no AI assistance required) followed by small in person panel interview. Other interviews may be required as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IPS and all SONIN, LLC affiliates are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. We are proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We believe that diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to innovation and help us solve real-world problems.

Reasonable Accommodation

IPS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the employment application process. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact the Human Resources Team at hr@ipstx.com.