Mechanical Engineer, Structures

El Segundo, CA

About the role

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with omniscient systems purpose-built for today’s realities. Designed and built by top U.S. military veterans and Silicon Valley innovators, CHAOS Industries’ products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. In a world where technological threats move at unprecedented speed, CHAOS Industries delivers advanced sensing and detection solutions that give the ultimate advantage: time. Role Overview: CHAOS is seeking a Mechanical Engineer – Structures to provide high-value, hands-on mechanical expertise for the integration of ruggedized electronics, effectors, and mission-critical hardware into ground- and sea-mobile platforms for aerospace and defense applications. In this role, you will own and lead the design for mechanical integration of military electronics and effector systems with critical platform structures and mechanisms. Design challenges may range from compact electronics enclosures to larger structural or mechanism assemblies, depending on platform and mission

requirements. The position spans the full product lifecycle, from early concept development and architecture through detailed design, analysis, prototyping, qualification testing, production, and sustainment of fielded systems. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on mechanical CAD and system integration experience, demonstrated prototyping skills, a deep understanding of ruggedized hardware design, and a proven ability to work independently and guide cross-disciplinary engineering efforts. This is a full-time, on-site position in El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities: Provide technical leadership and hands-on prototyping and mechanical integration of mission systems: electronics, enclosures, effectors, launchers, mechanisms, and support equipment into ground- and sea-mobile platforms Architect and design mechanical structures, frames, mounts, enclosures, and mechanisms subject to shock, vibration, thermal, and environmental constraints Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, and interface control documentation (ICDs) to support multi-disciplinary system integration Perform first-order structural and thermal analyses and

requirements allocations to ensure compliance with customer

requirements and applicable military standards Lead system-level integration, qualification, and acceptance activities, including oversight of installation, alignment, and fit-check efforts Serve as a primary technical hardware interface with customers, platform providers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Perform make/buy assessments Support production transition, configuration control, and fielded system sustainment, including investigation and resolution of integration issues Minimum

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in platform-level mechanical design and system integration for aerospace and defense applications Proven experience integrating mechanical subsystems and mission systems into vehicles, mobile platforms, or fixed installations Strong proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent) for large assemblies and top-down design Solid understanding of mechanical interfaces, tolerancing, alignment, installation practices, and interface control documents (ICDs) Familiarity with structural analysis methods (hand calculations, FEA) Familiarity with ruggedized military hardware and environmental qualification considerations Experience interpreting and applying military standards, such as MIL-STD-810 and related platform qualification

requirements Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and resolve complex, cross-disciplinary integration challenges Strong communication skills and ability to operate effectively in multi-project development environments Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance Preferred

Requirements: Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field Prior experience serving as a mechanical technical authority on a program Experience with mechanisms and actuation systems, including linkages, bearings, motors, hydraulics, and pneumatics, gimbals, or rotary joints 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) Why CHAOS? 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: 3 00 employees and counting across 5 global offices $110k-138k The stated

compensation range reflects only the targeted base

compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as

bonus, equity, and

benefits. If your

compensation

requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of

compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. #LI-onsite

About Chaos

Chaos Industries offers a technology portfolio centered on its Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN) architecture that enables time-synchronous sensing, detection, communications, and effects. Its flagship platform, HYDRA, harnesses the CDN framework to deliver software-defined multi-domain capabilities across land, sea, and air environments while integrating with existing infrastructure under constrained conditions. The company serves defense, government, and industrial sectors, providing scalable and mobile solutions designed for complex operational settings.

Other roles at Chaos

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Job details

Salary

$110,000 - $138,000

Location

El Segundo, CA

Company

NameChaos
IndustryAerospace
Team Size3

Funding

Total raised

$1B

Last stage

Series D

Investors

Valor Equity Partners
8VC
Accel
New Enterprise Associates
SStepStone Group

Founders

JT

John Tenet

Co-Founder & CEO

LinkedIn
Bo Marr

Bo Marr

Co-Founder & CTO

LinkedIn
BC

Brett Cummings

Co-Founder & CFO

What happens next.

No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.

01

Confirm the fit

A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.

02

I pitch you to the company

I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.

03

A meeting lands on your calendar

If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.