Adaptive Structures R&D Engineer — Prototyping & Testing

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio, seeks an entry-level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to design, prototype, and test next-generation deployable structures for aerospace applications at Wright-Patterson AFB.

You will translate conceptual kinematics into physical models, support experimental campaigns, and integrate advanced composites and additive manufacturing materials while analyzing deployment dynamics with sensors and FE models.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical discipline is desired (recent Ph.D. or MS preferred).
• Experience in additive manufacturing, composite layup techniques, and computational modeling is desirable.
• Familiarity with Python, Matlab, and/or Julia for technical computing.

Responsibilities

• Design & Prototype: Translate conceptual kinematic and folding patterns into functional physical models via rapid iteration.
• Experimental Testing: Support development and execution of test campaigns to evaluate deployment dynamics and structural integrity.
• Material Integration: Work with composites, additive manufacturing materials, and flexible membranes to improve packaging strength/weight.
• Data Analysis & Communication: Instrument prototypes with motion capture and strain sensors, validate FE models.

Skills

Additive manufacturing

Composite layup techniques

Computational modeling

Python

MATLAB

Julia

Education

Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Julia

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio, seeks an entry-level Research Engineer in Adaptive Structures to design, prototype, and test next-generation deployable structures for aerospace applications at Wright-Patterson AFB.

You will translate conceptual kinematics into physical models, support experimental campaigns, and integrate advanced composites and additive manufacturing materials while analyzing deployment dynamics with sensors and FE models.