Aerospace Engineer

First Search Inc.; Connecticut; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

LiquidPiston is seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator to own the top-level CAD model and integrate propulsion, structures, avionics, and systems for its fixed-wing VTOL and UAS platforms. You will iterate from concept to hardware while coordinating with design, prototyping, and flight-test teams.

Responsibilities include leading CAD integrations, configuration management, and hands-on hardware support on site in Suffield, CT, five days a week, with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• 5+ years of engineering experience within aerospace, UAS/UAV, defense, advanced mobility, or a similarly complex product environment.
• Experience owning a top-level CAD assembly for an aircraft, vehicle, or major integrated system
• Advanced experience with SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable mechanical CAD platform
• Experience managing large and complex CAD assemblies
• Strong understanding of aircraft or vehicle integration, mechanical design, packaging, and system interfaces
• Hands-on experience working with physical hardware through assembly, integration, troubleshooting, or testing
• Ability to work onsite in Suffield, CT, five days per week

Responsibilities

• Owns the top-level aircraft CAD model and ensures integration of structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical, cooling, controls, and other systems at the aircraft level.
• Combine aircraft design, CAD integration, configuration management, and hands-on hardware support throughout design, prototyping, assembly, testing, and flight-test iteration.
• Collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines to bring concepts to hardware-ready configurations.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

CAD ownership

System integration

Hands-on hardware

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Company

My client, LiquidPiston, is an innovative technology company developing advanced rotary engine and propulsion solutions for aerospace, defense, and mobility applications. The company offers a hands‑on R&D environment where engineers have the opportunity to work on emerging technology, take meaningful ownership, and see their work progress from concept to real hardware.

Role Summary

LiquidPiston is looking for a Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator to support the development and integration of its fixed‑wing VTOL and UAS platforms. This person will have ownership of the top‑level aircraft CAD model and help ensure structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical, cooling, controls, and other systems come together successfully at the aircraft level.

The role combines aircraft design, CAD integration, configuration management, and hands‑on hardware support. The engineer will work closely with multiple disciplines throughout design, prototyping, assembly, testing, and flight‑test iteration.

Requirements

• 5+ years of engineering experience within aerospace, UAS/UAV, defense, advanced mobility, or a similarly complex product environment
• Experience owning a top‑level CAD assembly for an aircraft, vehicle, or major integrated system
• Advanced experience with SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable mechanical CAD platform
• Experience managing large and complex CAD assemblies
• Strong understanding of aircraft or vehicle integration, mechanical design, packaging, and system interfaces
• Hands‑on experience working with physical hardware through assembly, integration, troubleshooting, or testing
• Ability to work onsite in Suffield, CT, five days per week

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and tolerance stack‑ups
• Knowledge of design for manufacturing and configuration control
• Strong engineering fundamentals and physics‑based problem‑solving skills
• Ability to identify integration issues and independently drive solutions
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced R&D environment where designs and priorities evolve
• Strong verbal and written communication skills