Adaptive Structures R&D Engineer: Prototyping & Deployment

AeroVironment, Inc.; Bath Township (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company match

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks an entry-level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, collaborating with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

You will design, prototype, and rigorously test deployable structures, translating kinematic concepts into physical models. The role emphasizes experimental campaigns, data analysis, and collaboration across disciplines to validate deployment and improve packaging efficiency.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a technical discipline is desired (MS/PhD preferred).
• Experience or coursework in additive manufacturing and composite layup techniques.
• Experience with computational modeling and numerical methods.
• Strong communication skills are essential for collaboration and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Design and Prototype: translate kinematic concepts into physical models with rapid iteration.
• Experimental Testing: support test campaigns to evaluate deployment dynamics and structural integrity.
• Material Integration: work with advanced composites and additive manufacturing materials.
• Data Analysis & Communication: instrument prototypes with sensors and validate FE models.

Skills

Additive manufacturing

Composite layup techniques

Computational modeling

Python

Matlab

Julia

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Applied Mathematics

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks an entry-level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, collaborating with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

You will design, prototype, and rigorously test deployable structures, translating kinematic concepts into physical models. The role emphasizes experimental campaigns, data analysis, and collaboration across disciplines to validate deployment and improve packaging efficiency.