Aero Mechanical Engineer - Analysis and Testing

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Knightwerx seeks an experienced AeroMech engineer to contribute to the design and development of a small unmanned electric aircraft. You will work with a strong engineering team to advance from concept to testing, balancing innovation with reliability in a fast-paced environment.

You will develop test plans, analyze data, and collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and software domains. This role is on-site in Scottsdale, requiring US citizenship and a hands-on, results-driven mindset.

Qualifications

• Must have a solid grounding in aeromechanical engineering principles and aircraft performance.
• Strong ability to analyze and test aircraft components and systems.
• Comfort with reading and interpreting analytical estimates and test data.

Responsibilities

• Assist aeromechanical team in designing and developing a small unmanned aircraft airframe.
• Develop test plans and execute tests for components including aerodynamics, propellers, motors, and batteries.
• Provide and interpret performance analyses of components and systems.

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MATLAB

XFLR5

XFOIL

XPROP

Job description

Knightwerx is looking for a highly skilled and experienced AeroMech engineer to work on the development of a small unmanned electric aircraft. We operate in a fast-paced development environment that balances innovation and ingenuity with practicality and reliability. You'll be working and supported by a team of strong engineers and subject matter experts to develop an aircraft from the ground up and be involved in every step of the process.

Work Experience

• Engineering degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years experience developing small unmanned, electric aircraft or similar field
• Demonstrated ability to perform analysis and testing of aircraft components and systems

Attributes

• Innovative, hands-on, and practical
• Multi-disciplined, problem solver, driven by engineering analysis and scientific rigor
• Goal driven, learns from mistakes, and closes the loop on the design process
• Understands trades of scope for effort
• Communicates well through discussion and documentation
• Works well with others to develop plans and solve problems

Primary Duties

• Assists aeromechanical team in the design and development of a small unmanned aircraft airframe
• Develops test plans and executes testing of components, including aerodynamic bodies, propellers, motors, batteries.
• Provides and/or interprets performance analysis of aircraft components and systems.
• Provides analysis of test data, compares to analytical estimates

Tasks

• Designs and develops test set ups, with aid of mechanical and electrical engineers. Includes understanding test requirements, and specifying instrumentation components.
• Develops automated data recording software.
• Works with aeromechanical and electrical engineers to implement findings from testing.

Skills

• Theoretical and practical understanding of aircraft system performance, aerodynamics, propeller performance and aerodynamics, motor performance, battery performance.
• Strong proficiency in Matlab and other analysis tools (XFLR5, XFOIL, XPROP, etc)
• Bonus:
• RC building and flying

Requirements

• Must have US citizenship
• On-site, collaborative work environment

About Knightwerx

Knightwerx develops American-made, AI-powered unmanned aerial systems and remote sensing technologies that support human-machine teaming in mission-critical environments. We build next-generation aerospace and autonomy solutions for both commercial and government customers where performance, speed, and reliability matter.

As a growing company, we offer the opportunity to work close to the mission, close to the product, and close to the decisions that shape what gets built.

Why Knightwerx

Work on technology with real-world impact

Help shape products from concept through deployment

Small, highly technical team with significant ownership and influence

Direct access to engineering and company leadership

Opportunity to move quickly and see your work deployed

Competitive compensation and benefits package