Aero Mechanical Engineer - UAV Design

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Job summary

Knightwerx is seeking an AeroMech engineer to lead development of a small unmanned electric aircraft. You’ll join a fast-paced, hands-on team of engineers driving from concept to flight, with heavy emphasis on practical reliability and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The role requires 5+ years in unmanned electric aircraft or similar, proficiency with SolidWorks/CAD, weight and balance, materials selection, and testing. On-site position in Scottsdale, USA.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Assists aeromechanical team in the design and development of a small unmanned aircraft airframe.
• Contributes to the airframe design, including component layout, weight and balance, materials selection, CAD, prototyping, and fabrication.
• Develops aircraft component concepts for trade studies.
• Works with lead aeromechanical engineer to understand needs for component designs.
• Works closely with MDO, aerodynamic, propulsion, and avionics engineers to implement cross-discipline engineering decisions in to components.
• Executes build, analysis, and test plans for aircraft components.

Skills

Engineering analysis

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Problem-solving

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD

3D printing

Machining

Composites fabrication

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 design and produce lightweight aircraft components, perform analysis and testing of aircraft components

Attributes

• Innovative, hands-on, and practical
• Multi-disciplined, problem solver, driven by engineering analysis
• 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
• Contributes to the airframe design, including component layout, weight and balance, materials selection, CAD, prototyping, and fabrication
• Develops aircraft component concepts for trade studies
• Works with lead aeromechanical engineer to understand needs for component designs
• Works closely with MDO, aerodynamic, propulsion, and avionics engineers to implement cross-discipline engineering decisions in to components
• Executes build, analysis, and test plans for aircraft components

Tasks

• Develop parts and assemblies in SolidWorks
• Select materials and fabrication techniques
• Carry out component prototype builds
• Analysis of parts including first order structural, thermal, and aerodynamic through analytical or experimental techniques
• Sources parts, outsources machining/printing/manufacturing of parts
• Helps set up in-house machines, tooling

Skills

• CAD, Solidworks preferred
• Lightweight aircraft component and payload design
• RC building and flying
• Fabrication through machining, composites, 3D printing
• Composite materials design and fabrication
• Aerodynamic analysis and design
• Structural analysis and design
• Communication and documentation
• Some familiarity with cross-discipline terminology and concepts

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