Senior Mechanical Engineer - Aero & Propulsion

Remote Robotic Systems Inc.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Remote Robotic Systems Inc. seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on aerodynamics and propulsion to develop hardware for a new aircraft program from concept through production.

You will balance propulsion, structural dynamics, testing, and mechanical design, selecting propulsion components and turning test data into practical design decisions. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams across the lifecycle, spending significant time in the lab to ensure aircraft

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with multirotor or fixed-wing UAVs, or propulsion systems.
• Strong testing and data analysis skills.
• Strong SolidWorks skills or equivalent 3D CAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Define propulsion, structural dynamics, testing, and mechanical design activities across the product lifecycle.
• Select and characterize propulsion systems; translate test data into design decisions.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams; spend time in lab environments.
• Engage in CAD, prototyping, and builds for propulsion hardware.

Skills

UAV propulsion

Testing & data analysis

SolidWorks / 3D CAD

Prototype testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

About Remote Robotic Systems

Help build rugged, mission-critical hardware at the intersection of robotics, autonomy, and defence technology.

Remote Robotic Systems (RRS) is a Canadian robotics and defence technology company helping organizations deploy enterprise-grade drones, uncrewed aircraft, robotic platforms, sensors, payloads, and remote operations technologies for mission-critical applications. Our solutions support customers across defence, public safety, security, industrial, infrastructure, energy, and government sectors.

Through our Airmetal team, we develop advanced aerospace and technology products designed to perform reliably in demanding real-world environments.

We are developing ruggedized aircraft, hardware, and electronics systems that must perform where ordinary products fail, including exposure to water, dust, sand, vibration, impact, and temperature extremes. These products must be durable, lightweight, manufacturable, and reliable in the field.

We are a small, fast-moving engineering team that values ownership, technical depth, practical problem solving, and the ability to turn ambitious ideas into robust, manufacturable products.

The Role

Airmetal is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on aerodynamics and propulsion to help develop hardware for a new aircraft program, from concept through production.

This is a hands-on engineering role combining propulsion, structural dynamics, testing, and mechanical design. You will select and characterize propulsion systems, solve difficult engineering problems, and turn test data into practical design decisions.

Working closely with mechanical, electrical, and software teams, you will support development across the full lifecycle, from analysis and prototyping through testing, validation, and field trials. You will spend significant time in the lab, helping ensure our aircraft perform as well in the field as they do on paper.

We are looking for an engineer who combines strong mechanical fundamentals with propulsion experience, a data-driven approach, and a build-test-iterate mindset. Depending on team needs, the role may also include general mechanical design.

What You Will Work On

Propulsion

• Select, test, and characterize motors and propellers.
• Balance thrust, efficiency, weight, and cost across aircraft configurations.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate and source propulsion components.

Structural Dynamics and Analysis

• Analyze and test airframe stiffness, vibration, and resonance.
• Use simulation to guide design decisions and validate models against test data.

Testing and Validation

• Define and execute propulsion, structural, and environmental test programs.
• Build and maintain test rigs and instrumentation.
• Analyze test results and drive design improvements based on real-world data.
• Support flight testing and field trials.

Mechanical Design

• Support CAD, prototyping, and builds for structural and propulsion hardware.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Three to seven years of professional engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with multirotor or fixed-wing UAVs, or propulsion systems.
• Strong testing and data analysis skills.
• Strong SolidWorks skills or equivalent 3D CAD experience.
• Ability to work on-site in Kanata, Ontario.

Nice to Have

• CFD, FEA, or modal analysis experience.
• Experience working on a fielded or production UAV, aerospace, or defence program.
• Experience designing or testing sealed enclosures.
• Controlled Goods Program registration or previous controlled-goods experience.
• An active Canadian security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• P.Eng. or EIT status, or eligibility for licensure in Ontario.

What Will Make You Successful

• You enjoy solving difficult engineering problems that span aerodynamics, structures, and hardware.
• You trust testing and measured performance over assumptions.
• You can move comfortably between analysis, test rigs, prototypes, and CAD.
• You take ownership of outcomes and follow through on commitments.
• You combine strong technical depth with practical engineering judgment.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to own propulsion and testing on a new aircraft program.
• Direct impact on aircraft performance, reliability, and design decisions.
• Hands-on involvement in analysis, prototyping, testing, and flight trials.
• Exposure to robotics, aerospace, autonomy, sensing, communications, and defence technologies.
• Close collaboration within a highly technical and entrepreneurial engineering team.
• A fast-paced environment where your work has visible impact.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and equity participation.

Employment Details

Type: Full-time

Location: On-site in Kanata, Ontario

Compensation: $95,000 to $120,000 annually, plus equity and benefits, based on experience and fit for the role

Travel: Occasional travel to suppliers, test labs, and field trials may be required

Vacancy status: This posting is for an existing, open vacancy

Security Clearance

Employment in this role may be conditional on the successful candidate's ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Use of AI in Hiring

We may use AI tools to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, screening resumes, and evaluating candidate responses. These tools assist our team, but people make all hiring decisions. AI is used to support, not replace, human judgment.

Application Process

If you're excited about propulsion, flight hardware, and solving complex engineering challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

Please submit:

• Your resume.
• A short note describing a piece of hardware you designed, built, and tested.
• An example of a problem you solved and how you proved the solution with data.
• A portfolio of relevant hardware or test work, if available.

Remote Robotic Systems Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.