Mechanical Designer in Ottawa, Ontario at General Dynamics Missions Systems Canada

Build bold. Deliver impact. Win together.

At General Dynamics Mission SystemsCanada, were not just engineering technology were shaping the future of defence and security. Our teams design and deliver advanced, mission-critical solutions that enhance national security, strengthen communities, and protect the people we serve.

If youre looking for meaningful work that contributes to a safer, more secure world, youll find purpose here. Every day, your skills will directly impact programs that matter.

We are currently seeking an experienced Mechanical Designer to join our team in Ottawa.

In this role, the Mechanical Designer will:

• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed electro-mechanical designs and layouts for new and existing equipment at the unit and sub-assembly level, ensuring compliance with functional, environmental, manufacturability, assembly, cost, tolerance, and configuration requirements.
• Provide technical support and act as Design Lead for assigned electro-mechanical design activities, including mentorship of junior staff and coordination of design execution across project teams.
• Participate in full lifecycle engineering activities, including requirements definition, derivation, documentation, review, and verification; design reviews; technical investigations; Problem Reports (PRs); and verification of compliance to design requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to translate requirements into design outputs, including mechanical and environmental specifications, and ensure alignment with commercial, military, and internal engineering standards.
• Plan, execute, and support verification and validation activities, including environmental testing (shock, vibration, thermal cycling), development of test methods and fixtures, analysis of results, and preparation of formal test reports and technical documentation.
• Support manufacturing engineering by developing assembly methods, tooling, jigs, fixtures, and Assembly Method Instructions (AMIs), including definition of build sequences for mechanical assemblies, wiring harnesses, and related components.
• Support project execution activities including budget input, schedule development, estimating, progress reporting, identification of risks and out-of-scope work, and support of cost, schedule, and technical performance tracking.
• Produce and maintain engineering documentation throughout the product lifecycle, including 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), assembly documentation, engineering change documentation, and configuration-controlled records.
• Apply configuration and change management processes to ensure design integrity, traceability, and controlled implementation of engineering changes across the product lifecycle.
• Remain current with emerging technologies, materials, manufacturing methods, and electro-mechanical packaging techniques, and support recommendations for continuous improvement and R&D initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of engineering standards, procedures, CAD/MEC/ECAD practices, and work instructions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education and Experience

• Requires a three year College Diploma as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist or equivalent.
• Requires a minimum of five years relevant experience.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of mechanical engineering design principles including shock and vibration, thermal management, EMI/EMC, materials selection, fabrication methods, and electro-mechanical packaging.
• Knowledge of Design-to-Cost and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles applied to electro-mechanical product design.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites), and fabrication methods including machining, forming, casting, fastening, and finishing.
• Knowledge of product development lifecycle processes including project management fundamentals, requirements management, risk management, scheduling, and engineering stage-gates.
• Knowledge of environmental qualification and acceptance testing methods and their application to product verification.
• Knowledge of engineering standards (commercial, military, and industry) and their application to mechanical design, drafting, and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of CAD modelling tools, mechanical drafting standards, and engineering documentation systems.
• Knowledge of Bill of Materials (BOM) development and configuration within engineering environments.
• Understanding of engineering specification requirements and their impact on product design decisions.
• Experience working with or familiarity with AI/ML models is preferred.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce complex technical drawings and CAD-based engineering documentation in accordance with industry drafting standards and manufacturing requirements.
• Participate in and support design reviews (e.g., IDR, PDR, CDR) and related lifecycle validation activities.
• Define and evaluate technical performance requirements, establish acceptance criteria, and assess compliance through analysis and testing.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and manufacturing specifications to support design and production activities.
• Prepare technical documentation including reports, test plans, procedures, analyses, investigations, and technical summaries.
• Support engineering investigations, lessons learned capture, and continuous improvement activities.
• Design, plan, and support development and qualification testing, including environmental and mechanical test activities with appropriate analysis and reporting.
• Work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams across the product lifecycle.

Effort (Physical/Sensory) & Working Environment

Physical

• Sits extensively in work station, periodically getting up to go to meetings, see internal customers, etc. Continuous hand/finger movement for mousing. Must be able to assemble/disassemble equipment and lift test equipment into and onto test apparatus.

Sensory

• Considerable visual attention and concentration for longer periods of time, requiring continuous attention to finite detail.

Work Environment

• General office environment.
• Multiple/tight deadlines and some interruptions.

It is a requirement that General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada be registered with the Canadian Controlled Goods program and that all of its workforce be security assessed. Successful applicants must meet all applicable security requirements, including but not limited to the ability to obtain and maintain a Canadian government security clearance. Applicants may be required to meet additional security requirements in order to gain access to technical data, classified areas or information that is subject to international regulations. You must be eligible to work in Canada.

The hiring hourly rate range for this position is $39.37 to $46.21 for a standard 40-hour work week. Our goal is to provide a fair and competitive offer based on an assessment of internal equity and your qualifications, including:

• Relevant experience
• Technical and non-technical skills
• Education and certifications

Benefits
As a full-time employee at General Dynamics Mission SystemsCanada, youll enjoy a competitive total rewards package that supports your professional and personal well-being:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and eligible dependents from day one (no cost), including flexible benefits options (HCSA) emergency travel insurance, and 24/7 virtual care services.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), onsite fitness facilities, and employee resource groups.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with employer contributions after 3 months, RRSP access from day one, and financial planning support.
• Flexible time off including vacation, holidays, parental leaves with top-up options, sick leave, and disability programs.
• Career development through learning platforms, educational assistance, mentoring, and reimbursement of professional memberships.
• Additional perks such as employee discounts, free onsite parking, social clubs, and an annual scholarship program for employees children.

Why join us?

• Purposeful Innovation: Youll work on innovations that genuinely make a difference. Youll apply advanced thinking, design expertise, and practical problem-solving to help equip military and allied forces with leading-edge systems. Youll be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the defence sector, contributing to next-generation technologies in an environment that celebrates creativity, new ideas, and modern solutions.
• Connection: We believe people do their best work when they feel they belong, and their ideas can flourish. Different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking help us innovate and grow. Strong relationships with our teammates help us unite, overcome challenges, and deliver the world-class quality were known for. Here, we are committed to inclusivity and ensures every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered.
• Challenging and Rewarding Career Pathways: Your career path matters to us. From mentorship and regular check-ins with your leader to educational support, professional certifications, and continuous training, youll have the resources you need to thrive. We encourage internal mobility so you can explore different business areas, broaden your skillset, and expand your network. Youll be working on high-profile, impactful projects that challenge your skills, expand your expertise, and allow you to both learn from mentors and guide others along the way.

Accommodation
If you require accommodation during any stage of the application process, please contact Human Resources via recruitment@gd-ms.ca.

Closing Date
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.