UAV Mechanical Design Engineer — Fast-Scale Production

Stark Defence; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bronze ERS Award

Job summary

STARK is a defence tech company specialising in autonomous UAV platforms. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll drive the mechanical architecture from concept to high-rate production, collaborating with manufacturing to ensure robust, cost-effective airframes ready for field deployment.

You’ll work in an agile, cross-functional team and apply CAD, DFx practices, materials selection and manufacturing processes to achieve first-time-right assemblies for current and future UAVs.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in mechanical design, ideally within aerospace, UAVs, automotive or autonomous systems.
• Proven track record of taking parts from sketch through verification and into production.
• SolidWorks proficiency; CATIA experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of composites, 3D printing, machining and injection molding.
• Familiarity with MIL standards and certification pathways.
• Ability to explain complex trade-offs to peers and leadership.
• UK Security Clearance eligibility is required.

Responsibilities

• Own major mechanical assemblies and payload integrations for current and future UAVs.
• Optimize designs for high-rate production and scalable manufacturing.
• Apply parametric modeling, GD&T and tolerance analysis to ensure first-time-right assembly.
• Decide on airframe materials, structural layouts and manufacturing processes (composites, additive, etc.).
• Collaborate with Stress, Flight Test and Systems teams to verify structural integrity.
• Hands-on CAD, rapid prototyping and shop-floor troubleshooting to iterate designs.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace

3D printing

GD&T

Aerospace

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Machining

Injection molding

Job description

STARK is a defence tech company specialising in autonomous UAV platforms. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll drive the mechanical architecture from concept to high-rate production, collaborating with manufacturing to ensure robust, cost-effective airframes ready for field deployment.

You’ll work in an agile, cross-functional team and apply CAD, DFx practices, materials selection and manufacturing processes to achieve first-time-right assemblies for current and future UAVs.