Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Senior Mechanical Engineer/Depot Activation Lead

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions • $95K — $115K *
Crane, IN 47522In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, MIS, Logistics Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
  • 6-8 years of aerospace or defense sustainment experience, managing complex defense program stand-ups.
  • Strong understanding of MRO processes and defense sustainment operations.
  • Experience with technical requirements for complex hardware systems.
  • Proficiency in deploying and integrating automated test equipment.
  • Knowledge of DoD logistics systems and operational capability milestones (IOC/FOC).
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate mechanical requirements into prototypes.
  • Provide technical input during IPT meetings and manage action items.
  • Prepare engineering documentation, including drawings and specifications.
  • Support program reviews and Navy design evaluations.
  • Translate engineering notes and technical manuals into formal drawing packages.
  • Develop or update BOMs and wiring diagrams for radar subsystems.
  • Work with radar engineers and technicians to resolve discrepancies.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • Retirement savings plans with company matching.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Flexible work arrangements and paid time off.
  • Employee assistance programs and mental health support.
Full Job Description
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer/Depot Activation Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the stand-up of a new hardware maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability within a major defense enterprise. This role is dedicated to technical enablement, emphasizing the identification of system and equipment requirements, deployment of automated testing infrastructure, and organization of complex logistics and sustainment database environments. The position ensures that all technical elements are accurately defined, integrated, and supported to maintain effective and reliable system sustainment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Collaborate with systems, electrical, and test engineering teams to integrate mechanical requirements into prototypes.
  • Provide technical input during Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings and manage assigned action items.
  • Prepare engineering documentation, including drawings, analysis reports, specifications, and configuration-controlled artifacts.
  • Support program reviews, milestone events, and Navy design evaluations.
  • Translate engineering notes, depot repair observations, reverse-engineered components, and GFI technical manuals into formal drawing packages.
  • Develop or update BOMs, install drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and cable harness documentation for radar subsystems.
  • Work closely with radar engineers, field technicians, and manufacturing leads to resolve discrepancies and ensure technical accuracy.
  • Work closely with the Quality Manager to ensure all quality requirements are included in all documentation this position will prepare.

Interim Operational Capability (IOC) Phase
  • Establish the foundational data collection framework, validating initial data schemas for maintenance logging and asset tracking.
  • Draft, review, and freeze the initial Technical Data Packages (TDP) and baseline Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Onboard and train a skeletal crew of certified core technicians to handle first-article maintenance demonstrations.
  • Verify functionality of core Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and Special Tooling & Test Equipment (STTE) to safely ingest proof-of-concept components.
  • Direct successful first-article teardowns and inspection sequences to prove system accuracy.

Full Operational Capability (FOC) Phase
  • Scale database platforms to handle live, concurrent transactional tracking, establishing fully automated, bidirectionally secure connections with military logistics host networks.
  • Incorporate comprehensive configuration management loops to instantly capture tech-data changes and push field updates across production floors.
  • Expand specialized tooling pathways to match maximum contract throughput parameters, eliminating throughput bottlenecks.
  • Transition day-to-day production operations to long-term sustainment managers and line supervisors once steady-state yield benchmarks are achieved.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Management Information Systems (MIS), Logistics Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
  • Minimum of 6-8 years of aerospace or defense sustainment experience, explicitly managing complex defense program stand-ups or engineering transitions.
  • Strong understanding of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes and defense sustainment operations
  • Experience developing and interpreting technical requirements for complex hardware systems
  • Proficiency in deploying and integrating automated test equipment and supporting infrastructure
  • Ability to map, manage, and validate logistics, configuration, and sustainment data environments
  • Knowledge of DoD logistics systems, readiness frameworks, and operational capability milestones (IOC/FOC)
  • Demonstrated skill in cross-functional coordination across engineering, logistics, supply chain, and program teams
  • Understanding of metrology and calibration support for selected test equipment
  • Excellent project management, planning, and organizational abilities
  • Strong analytical and problem?solving skills with attention to detail
  • Effective communication skills for engaging stakeholders and presenting technical information
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive tasks to completion
  • Active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance.


Desired Qualifications
  • Prior experience supporting NAVSEA, PEO IWS, NSWC, defense contractors, or Fleet sustainment programs.
  • Experience drafting components related to antenna arrays, signal processors, radar cabinets, or shipboard power systems.
  • Background or familiarity with 2M repair standards, test stations, or electronics refurbishment is highly desirable.
  • Comprehensive understanding of DoD lifecycle gates, including System Requirements Reviews (SRRs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and transitioning facilities through IOC/FOC thresholds.
  • Professional certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Level II/III in Lifecycle Logistics/Program Management.
  • Familiarity with tracking tools using Earned Value Management System (EVMS) rules.
  • Deep technical background working directly with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 quality frameworks.


#LI-ACI & #LI-Onsite

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ
KTOS
* Ladders Estimates

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