Mechanical Engineer

ABOUT LUNA

Luna Innovations Incorporated (LUNA) is a global leader in fiber optic test and measurement and distributed sensing. Our products are trusted by aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, research institutions, and commercial operators worldwide to measure what others can't-with precision down to the millimeter. We're growing fast, and the engineers who build and design our instruments are at the center of that growth.

Our Blacksburg, VA engineering team develops the optical test and measurement equipment and fiber optic sensing platforms that define the state of the art in distributed measurement. We design everything from handheld field instruments to rackmount systems used in some of the most demanding environments on earth-and the mechanical engineers who shape those products directly determine how well they perform, how reliably they hold up, and how efficiently they can be built.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Precision optical instruments don't just need great optics-they need mechanical designs that protect and position those optics, manage heat in increasingly compact enclosures, and hold tight tolerances across optical, electrical, and mechanical interfaces. As Luna's product line expands and our systems become denser and more capable, the mechanical engineer on the team is the person who makes sure everything fits, functions, and lasts.

This is a hands-on, design-driven role with real ownership. You'll work across the full product development lifecycle-from early concept and SolidWorks modeling through prototyping, test fixture design, and release to production-alongside optical scientists, electrical engineers, and manufacturing teams who care deeply about getting it right.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Mechanical Design & System Integration

• Design instrument enclosures for electro-optical systems across form factors-desktop, rackmount, and hand-held
• Drive system-level integration across optical, electrical, and mechanical domains-working closely with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure components and subsystems are physically compatible, properly aligned, and optimized for manufacturability and performance
• Develop mechanical packaging solutions that accommodate precision optical assemblies, PCBs, connectors, and cabling within constrained form factors while maintaining optical path integrity and serviceability
• Define and manage mechanical interfaces and tolerance stack-ups to ensure reliable alignment and repeatable assembly across optical and electromechanical subassemblies
• Apply thermal modeling to design high-performance compact products-as our systems become increasingly dense, airflow cooling and thermal management are critical to product reliability and performance

Test, Fixtures & Manufacturing

• Design fixtures and processes for testing optical test and measurement assemblies
• Help guide design changes-both new and existing-to improve manufacturability and reduce production cost
• Create procedures for the construction and testing of complex electromechanical products
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams to support smooth transitions from prototype to production

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• Mechanical engineering experience preferred; new graduates will be considered-level commensurate with experience
• Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) for product and system design
• Excellent communication, technical writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, cross-functional environment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with laboratory test equipment (strain gauges, thermocouples, etc.)
• Experience with fiber optic componentry and cabling
• Experience with standardized testing protocols (IP rating, MIL-STD-810G, etc.)
• Experience with NPI processes in a low-to-medium volume, high-mix manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of OFDR technology, swept wavelength lasers, or coherent optical systems
• Experience with Ansys Fluent (or similar) software for thermal modeling

WHY LUNA

Here's what you can expect:

• Competitive compensation & benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a company-sponsored 401(k) with employer match
• Invest in your growth: tuition assistance, professional development funding, and support for industry training and certifications
• Work that matters: the designs you create will directly determine the performance and reliability of instruments used in aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and cutting-edge research
• Innovation-driven culture: join a team where engineering rigor is valued, cross-functional collaboration is the norm, and you'll see your work go from concept to production
• New River Valley location: Blacksburg, VA is home to Virginia Tech, offering a vibrant college-town atmosphere, world-class outdoor recreation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and an affordable cost of living

Luna Innovations is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Luna provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, or veteran status. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. Luna expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination.