Airframe Lead Engineer, UAV Systems & Structures

edgeautonomy-careers; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matching 401(k)

Paid PTO

Paid holidays

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disabilty

HSA and FSA Options

Critical Care Plan

Accident Care Plan

Job summary

Redwire Defense Tech is seeking an Airframe Lead to be the mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT, owning airframe architecture, structural design, and mechanical integration from concept through flight test and production.

You will act as the technical authority for airframe decisions, collaborate with systems, propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing, drive DFM/DFA improvements, and mentor engineers toward a certifiable, producible airframe solution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8–12+ years of airframe, structural, or mechanical design experience.
• Experience leading airframe or structural design on complex aerospace systems.
• Experience working within IPT or program-based engineering environments.
• Proficiency with CAD/PLM tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX).
• Familiarity with structural analysis methods and interpretation of results.
• Experience with composite structures, bonding, and aerospace fastener systems.
• Understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and materials.
• Technical authority with engineering judgment.
• Ability to lead through influence rather than formal management.
• Strong systems-thinking mindset and interface focus.
• Clear communicator of complex topics.
• Bias toward execution, risk identification, and practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT, owning airframe technical direction and decision‑making.
• Define and maintain the airframe system architecture, structural design philosophy, and mechanical integration strategy.
• Own airframe requirements flowdown, trade studies, and design margins.
• Act as the technical authority for airframe‑related design reviews, change control, and configuration decisions.
• Lead structural and mechanical design efforts including primary and secondary structures, joints, load paths, and interfaces.
• Ensure proper integration of propulsion, avionics, payloads, landing gear, and other subsystems into the airframe.
• Oversee composite and metallic structural designs, including material selection and manufacturing methods.
• Ensure designs meet performance, weight, strength, durability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Guide structural analysis activities (loads, stress, vibration, fatigue) and ensure alignment with design assumptions.
• Define structural test strategies, including component, subscale, and full‑scale testing.
• Support ground and flight test efforts by providing airframe technical support and rapid issue resolution.
• Own closure of airframe‑related discrepancies, test findings, and nonconformances.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure airframe designs are producible and scalable.
• Support tooling, fixture, and assembly process development.
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑assembly (DFA) improvements.
• Support production readiness reviews and transition to sustained production.
• Serve as the primary airframe interface to systems engineering, program management, and leadership.
• Communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Mentor airframe engineers and specialists through technical guidance and design reviews.

Skills

Airframe design leadership

Systems engineering interface

Strong communication

Bias toward execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Job description

Redwire Defense Tech is seeking an Airframe Lead to be the mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT, owning airframe architecture, structural design, and mechanical integration from concept through flight test and production.

You will act as the technical authority for airframe decisions, collaborate with systems, propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing, drive DFM/DFA improvements, and mentor engineers toward a certifiable, producible airframe solution.