Mechanical Engineer III/IV

Responsibilities

• Design and Development
• Design mechanical components and systems for UAVs and other aerospace vehicles, including airframes, propulsion systems, control surfaces, landing gears, and payload integration.
• Prototyping and Testing
• Build and test UAV prototypes to ensure mechanical reliability and performance, including ground and flight tests to validate designs.
• Structural Analysis
• Conduct stress, strain, and fatigue analysis on UAV structures and systems to ensure they can withstand operational conditions such as high speeds, altitudes, and varying temperatures.
• THERMAL MANAGEMENT
• Design and analyze thermal systems to manage heat dissipation, especially for high-performance UAVs and aerospace applications.
• System Integration
• Collaborate with electrical, avionics, and software engineers to integrate mechanical systems with sensors, communication, and control systems in unmanned aircraft.
• MATERIAL SELECTION
• Evaluate and select lightweight, high-performance materials for UAVs, optimizing for fuel efficiency, durability, and strength.
• FAILURE ANALYSIS
• Perform root cause analysis on mechanical system failures and develop solutions to enhance the safety and performance of UAVs.
• UAV MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROCEDURES
• Develop guidelines for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of UAV mechanical systems to ensure long-term operational efficiency.
• REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
• Ensure all designs meet relevant UAS regulations and industry standards.
• Engage in R&D for cutting-edge UAS technologies, including autonomous systems, additive manufacturing, and advanced composite materials.
• Documentation
• Create detailed reports, design specifications, maintenance manuals, and testing documentation for UAS mechanical systems.

Qualifications

• Education
• Bachelor’s, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience
• 3-7+ years of experience in engineering roles.

Skills:

• Proficiency in CAD and mechanical design software (e.g., SolidWorks)
• Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and drafting
• Experience with design for manufacturability (DFMA) and tooling design
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and other simulation tools
• Knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, structural mechanics, and aerodynamics
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and ability to mentor

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in CAD primarily for aerospace and UAS applications
• Understanding of UAV manufacturing processes, including 3D printing and advanced composite materials
• Familiarity with UAV-specific regulations and broader aerospace certification processes (e.g., DO-160, AS9100)
• Strong project management skills

Pay

Pay Range by Level for San Luis Obispo
Level III - $122k - $151k
Level IV - $151k - $182k
Pay range for this role: $122,000 USD - $182,000 USD