Aerospace and Composites Engineer

Skyfront; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Skyfront is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to drive the design and testing of the next generation of drones. This challenging role involves working on hybrid propulsion systems and composite structures, collaborating with teams to optimize performance and cost. A supportive work environment offers opportunities to innovate in a high-demand field.

Benefits

Learning opportunities in UAV/drones

Competitive compensation with equity

Meritocratic, collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• 2-3 years experience with composites, machining, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience with hybrid and battery propulsion systems desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve drone subsystems, including propulsion systems and airframe structures.
• Perform CFD analysis and conduct FEA simulations.

Skills

Proficiency in 3D CAD

Understanding of structural mechanics

Experience with CFD and FEA tools

Experience with composites

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

Skyfront manufactures extreme endurance, hybrid-electric drones for heavy-duty commercial and defense applications. From critical surveillance missions to unexploded ordnance detection, Skyfront drones are built to fly for hours, far over the horizon, delivering capabilities that rival full-scale helicopters—at a fraction of the cost.

The Skyfront Perimeter 8 holds the multirotor drone flight time record: 13 hours and 4 minutes over a distance of 205 miles.

About the Role:

Skyfront is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to help design, manufacture, and test the next generation of the world’s longest-flying drones. You’ll work on hybrid and battery propulsion systems, composite airframe structures, and payload integration that push the boundaries of endurance flight. You’ll build new drone products and improve existing ones.

This is a challenging, hands-on engineering role with significant impact on product performance and company growth.

Responsibilities:

• Design and improve drone subsystems, including hybrid propulsion systems, composite and CNC airframe structures, cooling systems, and payload mounts
• Perform CFD analysis of novel VTOL fixed-wing aircraft
• Conduct FEA simulations and tolerance analyses
• Collaborate with finance, flight test and production teams to optimize cost, performance, and ease of assembly

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or related field
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360)
• Understanding of structural mechanics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics
• 2-3 years experience with composites, machining, and additive manufacturing
• Experience with CFD and FEA tools

Preferred Skills:

• Masters in ME/AE
• Experience with drones (especially fixed wing), robotics, aerospace, or automotive systems
• Knowledge of vibration damping and thermal management techniques
• Familiarity in 3D rendering software such as Keyshot or Solidworks Visualize
• Comfort using tools such as mills, lathes, and hand tools for prototyping
• Understanding of various different manufacturing technologies, additive, subtractive, vacuum forming, injection molding, etc.

What We Offer You:

• Learning opportunities in a high-demand, cutting-edge field (UAVs / drones)
• The opportunity to help redefine aviation and contribute to record-breaking flight technologies
• A meritocratic, collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued
• Competitive compensation with equity

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Skyfront by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Aerospace Engineer” roles.

Aeronautical Engineer - Hypersonic Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics

Palo Alto, CA $110,000.00-$140,000.00 2 weeks ago

Sunnyvale, CA $139,000.00-$200,000.00 2 weeks ago

Mechanical Engineer - Satellite Bus Design

San Francisco Bay Area $150,000.00-$200,001.00 3 weeks ago

Sunnyvale, CA $111,000.00-$164,000.00 2 weeks ago

Palo Alto, CA $100,000.00-$150,000.00 3 weeks ago

Atherton, CA $170,000.00-$190,000.00 3 months ago

Sunnyvale, CA $170,000.00-$240,000.00 2 weeks ago

Product Design Mechanical Engineer, Reality Labs

Sunnyvale, CA $204,000.00-$281,000.00 2 weeks ago

Mechanical Design Engineer, Product Integration

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.