About this Senior Mechanical Designer (contract) role at Teague
SENIOR MECHANICAL DESIGNER
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Job Type: Contract (6+ weeks)
Base Salary Range: $90.00 - $120.00 per hour
(This range reflects pay across most U.S. geographic locations)
WHO WE ARE:
Teague is an independent design consultancy that combines technology expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior to design what’s next for companies in automotive, commercial aviation, smart cities and infrastructure, advanced mobility, technology, space, and defense. On any given day, you might be prototyping a new space station, designing cutting-edge technology, or traveling around the world conducting research. We are approaching our one-hundred-year anniversary and are proudly employee-owned. Our culture fosters collaboration, accountability, and stability because when we succeed, we all win. Come be a part of something bigger than just a job and build your career with an employee-owned company that invests in you!
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Senior Mechanical Designer bridges creativity and engineering, turning visionary concepts into functional, manufacturable design solutions. This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, mechanical engineering translating ambiguous problem spaces into clear design strategies. The Senior Mechanical Designer acts as a design advocate, partnering with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure that engineering decisions consistently align with user needs, product goals, and broader organizational priorities. The ideal candidate brings a first-principles mindset and hands on approach to deconstruct complex problems, identify the most critical requirements, and architect effective, scalable solutions. They are equally comfortable developing high-level system strategies as they are building and iterating on physical prototypes. From concept development through production, the Senior Designer ensures every design achieves technical excellence, meets regulatory and manufacturing requirements, and reflects Teague’s standard of creative innovation.
TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:
This role follows a hybrid work model, with 1–2 days per week expected on-site/in the office.
WHO YOU ARE:
You’re a hands-on mechanical designer who can take an ambiguous design challenge and turn it into a thoughtful, buildable solution. You bring strong technical judgment, a practical understanding of materials and manufacturing, and the ability to balance performance, safety, aesthetics, and feasibility. You’re comfortable owning design work from concept through production, collaborating across disciplines and with clients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to solve problems and keep projects moving. You’re organized, detail-oriented, and accountable for the quality of your work, while also enjoying the opportunity to mentor others and share your expertise. Above all, you bring curiosity, professionalism, and a drive to continuously improve how things are designed and built.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
OWNING
- Lead the mechanical design development of interior components, systems, and structures for aircraft and other mobility products, delivering innovative, buildable solutions that meet performance, weight, and safety goals.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on materials, structural design, and manufacturing methods, guiding teams toward technically sound and creative solutions.
- Partner with clients to understand program priorities, design intent, and technical constraints—translating them into efficient and achievable design strategies.
- Mentor and support junior mechanical designers, providing technical feedback, coaching, and fostering a culture of excellence and learning.
- Champion Teague’s mechanical design standards, processes, and data management practices, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and accountability.
- Model Teague’s values of professionalism, innovation, and integrity while strengthening client trust through quality delivery and technical expertise.
THINKING
- Synthesize ambiguous inputs into clear requirements and translate them into actionable engineering approaches.
- Anticipate technical and integration challenges early in the design process, proactively identifying solutions that maintain aesthetic and functional goals.
- Evaluate structural performance, material selection, and manufacturing feasibility to inform design direction and reduce production risk.
- Collaborate closely with internal disciplines, including Industrial Design, Technical Build, and Visualization, to ensure cohesion across creative and technical deliverables.
- Engage with client engineering teams and external vendors to align mechanical solutions with program schedules, costs, and defined engineering interfaces.
- Continuously seek ways to optimize design workflows, component performance, and assembly processes using new tools, methods, and materials.
- Contribute to Teague’s knowledge base by developing design standards, documentation, and best practices for future programs.
DOING
- Produce 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed drawings using SolidWorks or equivalent design tools, ensuring manufacturability and accuracy.
- Create documentation packages for mockups, validation builds, and production implementation.
- Conduct detailed design reviews and ensure technical deliverables meet internal and client standards for precision, safety, and performance.
- Coordinate directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners to resolve technical issues, validate feasibility, and implement design revisions.
- Collaborate across disciplines to deliver complete project packages, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and technically sound outcomes.
- Manage multiple priorities with discipline and attention to detail, maintaining organized records and design data in accordance with Teague’s retention policies.
WHAT YOU BRING:
- 5+ years of experience in mechanical or product design, preferably within aerospace, transportation, or highly regulated industries.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred.
- Proven track record leading mechanical design efforts from concept through production implementation.
- Strong understanding of materials (metals, composites, plastics), manufacturing processes, and assembly methods.
- Strong proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and data management systems, including large model handling and Product Data Management (PDM) tools.
- Experience with finite element analysis software (Ansys preferred) for structural analysis and optimization
- Knowledge of FAA and OEM requirements for interior component design is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and presentation tools.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate design intent with engineering and manufacturing feasibility.
- Experience mentoring designers and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.
- US persons required
The hourly rate for this job in most US geographic locations is $90.00 - $120.00 per hour
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE:
- Creative Environment – Work with a talented and passionate team.
- Growth-Oriented – We support professional development and skill-building.
- Collaborative Culture – We value diverse perspectives and ideas.
- Impactful Work – Shape the future of design and create meaningful experiences.
- A Team That Cares – We believe great work comes from happy, inspired people.
OUR COMMITMENT:
At Teague, we believe that diversity fuels creativity, equity drives opportunity, inclusion fosters belonging, and accessibility makes innovation truly universal. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience, feels valued, heard, and empowered.
We actively:
- Educate – Continuously learn and grow through focused training and resources.
- Celebrate – Honor diverse voices, perspectives, and contributions.
- Take Action – Prioritize inclusivity in our work, approach to hiring, and team culture.
We are stronger together, and we welcome candidates who share our passion for designing a more inclusive and equitable future.
WHY JOIN US?
At Teague, we believe in fostering an environment where everyone thrives. Here's what makes us unique:
- We create new ways of working to drive innovation and adaptability.
- We trust one another, empowering collaboration and autonomy.
- We never stand still, embracing growth and continuous learning.
- We champion new ideas and perspectives, valuing creativity and fresh thinking.
- We celebrate our differences and foster an inclusive culture of belonging.
- We engage across diverse projects that challenge and inspire.
- We encourage work/life integration, promoting balance and well-being.
WHAT WE OFFER:
At Teague, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We search the globe to find and attract top talent from diverse backgrounds and value unique perspectives and experiences.
Join an Employee-Owned Company! We are employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), meaning our people share in the long-term success of the business. Our ESOP fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and long-term stability because when we succeed, we all win together.
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that rewards you based on performance and recognition for the value you bring to Teague. Individual salaries within this range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. In addition, our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes employer provided Short & Long-Term Disability and Life/AD&D insurance, alongside competitive dental and medical plans with a Health Savings Account option, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401k, and Parental Leave. We also offer voluntary benefits for vision, additional life, additional AD&D, accident & injury, critical illness, identity theft protections, legal and long-term care. Additionally, employees enjoy discounts on pet insurance and access to HealthCare Bluebook. As part of our comprehensive benefits package, full-time employees start by accruing 4 weeks of paid time off a year (prorated for part-time hires) and 10 paid holidays throughout the fiscal year. On-Call or Temporary employees accrue 1hr of PTO for every 30hrs worked. Full-time intern benefits start the first month following 60 days of hire and are not eligible to participate in Teague's 401k plan.
We are a Washington State based company. All employees must reside in the state of Washington (unless otherwise noted for specific roles) and be able to access one of our studio locations in the greater Seattle area.
Teague is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. Be vested in the results, treat Teague as if it was your own company.
