Associate Mechanical Engineer

Who We Are

Aptima is a technological leader in the national security industry. Our mission is to drive the future of national security by engineering scalable solutions that fuse technological innovation with human potential to transform how individuals and teams train, develop, and perform in mission-critical environments.

Our culture is rooted in our core values, which have evolved over time and our employees have embraced: Integrity, Ingenuity, Excellence, Respect, Engagement, Teamwork. At our core, Aptima researches, develops, and innovates within an area that engineering firms largely ignore, the human component. To impact the world in meaningful ways, you must bring those innovations to light, and that is precisely what we do.

How You'll Make An Impact

The Associate Mechanical Engineer plays a hands-on role in transforming innovative concepts into physical systems that support training, simulation, research, and mission-focused environments.

This position combines mechanical engineering, CAD modeling, prototyping, fabrication, and physical system integration to create reliable, high-quality technical solutions that support mission-critical work.

You will design, prototype, fabricate, modify, and integrate custom components and technical systems that power simulation environments, research activities, demonstrations, and internal technical capabilities. Your work will span the lifecycle of physical systems, from concept and prototype through assembly, installation, refinement, testing, and sustainment.

This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys building things, solving practical engineering challenges, and bringing concepts to life through hands-on experimentation, technical ingenuity, and iterative problem-solving.

Whether you are developing prototype hardware, refining simulation environments, supporting technical lab spaces, integrating systems for demonstrations, or troubleshooting physical systems, your work will directly enable operators, researchers, and engineers to train, experiment, and innovate more effectively.

By combining engineering fundamentals, creativity, and hands-on technical problem-solving, you will help Aptima deliver cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate physical systems, technology, and human performance.

Key Responsibilities

This is not a traditional desk-bound design role.

This is a hands-on engineering position where technical creativity meets practical execution. You will have the opportunity to help take concepts from idea to reality and directly support the systems that enable national security training, research, and innovation.

If you enjoy solving unusual engineering challenges, building custom solutions, and working in an environment where no two projects are exactly the same, this role offers an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful impact.

Mechanical Design & CAD

• Create, modify, and maintain mechanical designs, technical drawings, and models using CAD software.
• Translate concepts, sketches, and technical requirements into buildable physical components and assemblies.
• Design and support refinement of brackets, enclosures, mounts, panels, fixtures, and technical hardware for simulation and research systems.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative design improvements.

Prototype Development & Fabrication

• Design, prototype, fabricate, modify, and assemble custom components, simulator hardware, structures, and technical assemblies.
• Operate and utilize fabrication equipment, shop tools, and technical machinery safely and effectively.
• Perform fit checks, alignment, assembly, testing, and integration of fabricated components into simulator systems, prototypes, and testbeds.
• Support one-off or low-volume technical builds where off-the-shelf solutions may not exist.

Simulation & Technical Environment Support

• Support prototype development and physical technical builds for research, simulation, and demonstration environments.
• Assist with installation, modification, troubleshooting, repair, and sustainment of simulator hardware and technical systems.
• Help prepare technical environments, demonstrations, and physical system setups for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support technical experimentation, iterative development, and validation of prototype systems.
• Assist with technical logistics, setup, teardown, and optimization of specialized systems and workspaces.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, research, and technical teams to transform ideas into reliable physical solutions.
• Collaborate with Information Systems and technical staff to support hardware installations, lab environments, and specialized technical workspaces as needed.
• Contribute engineering insight and practical ideas to improve reliability, usability, manufacturability, and maintainability of physical systems.

Documentation & Engineering Quality

• Maintain technical documentation, engineering notes, assembly procedures, build documentation, and revision records.
• Document modifications, lessons learned, and improvements to support repeatability and knowledge sharing.
• Maintain a strong focus on quality, craftsmanship, organization, engineering rigor, and workplace safety.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Engineering Technology, or related technical discipline OR equivalent applied experience.
• 0-3 years of hands-on experience in mechanical engineering, prototyping, fabrication, simulation systems, technical design, research environments, or related technical work.
• Experience with or familiarity using CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in designing, prototyping, fabricating, modifying, or assembling technical components and systems.
• Hands-on experience using shop tools, fabrication equipment, laboratory tools, or technical machinery safely and effectively.
• Experience performing fit checks, alignments, installations, or integration of technical hardware into larger systems.
• Practical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• Ability to document technical work, design updates, build notes, or technical procedures.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across technical disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills and willingness to take ownership of assigned projects and technical work.
• Eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting simulation systems, testbeds, prototypes, or technical research environments.
• Experience with rapid prototyping, fabrication, or custom technical builds.
• Familiarity with electromechanical systems, cable routing, workstation hardware, or physical system integration.
• Experience with Raspberry Pi, embedded systems, robotics, or small compute systems.
• Prior experience in defense, aerospace, R&D, manufacturing, prototyping, or technical laboratory environments.
• Experience supporting demonstrations, technical environments, or specialized hardware installations.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.