Chief Mechanical Engineer, Aerospace & UAV Systems

AirQ; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

AirQ is seeking an experienced Head of Mechanical Department to lead the mechanical design engineering function for its unmanned aerial systems. The role covers airframe structures, aerodynamic surfaces, mechanisms, and installations from concept to prototyping and early production support.

You will build and structure the department, enforce CAD/PLM workflows, oversee design reviews, and ensure on-time delivery while coordinating with aerodynamics, structure, avionics, and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Aeronautical Engineering; MSc preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, including at least 3 years in an engineering leadership role.
• Expert-level experience with SolidWorks, CATIA, or Siemens NX, including complex surface modelling.
• Strong command of technical drawing standards.
• Proven design experience with composite structures and design-for-manufacture (DFM).
• Working knowledge of FEA and CFD workflows and the ability to effectively collaborate with analysis engineers.
• Fluent English, minimum C1 level, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise, and allocate department workload against programme milestones.
• Report design progress, risks, resource requirements, and technical issues to executive management.
• Set objectives, conduct performance reviews, and establish development plans for department engineers.
• Support recruitment and onboarding within approved headcount.
• Build department capability in surface modelling, composite design, mechanisms, and design-for-manufacture.
• Own the technical quality of all mechanical engineering outputs, including 3D models, geometry, structural layouts, mechanisms, drawings, and BOMs.
• Lead design reviews at concept, preliminary, critical, and release stages.
• Approve and release drawings and engineering changes within the department’s scope.
• Direct trade studies covering structural concepts, materials, and composite solutions.
• Maintain mass and centre-of-gravity budgets for each platform.
• Resolve design and manufacturing issues during prototyping and early production.
• Define and enforce CAD methodologies, drawing standards, part numbering, and design-release workflows within the PDM/PLM system.
• Ensure appropriate design verification prior to release, including tolerance stack-ups, fits, and design-for-assembly checks.
• Maintain configuration control and full traceability of released designs and engineering changes.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to close design and development loops.
• Provide technical specifications and drawing packages to procurement.
• Assess supplier capabilities for machined, fabricated, and composite components.
• Support airworthiness and certification documentation as required by individual programmes.

Skills

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

Technical drawing

3D modelling

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Aeronautical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

AirQ is seeking an experienced Head of Mechanical Department to lead the mechanical design engineering function for its unmanned aerial systems. The role covers airframe structures, aerodynamic surfaces, mechanisms, and installations from concept to prototyping and early production support.

You will build and structure the department, enforce CAD/PLM workflows, oversee design reviews, and ensure on-time delivery while coordinating with aerodynamics, structure, avionics, and manufacturing teams.