Chief Engineer, eVTOL Design & Performance

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans

Job summary

Pivotal in Palo Alto, CA is looking for an engineering leader to design electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This role involves leading a team while driving technical decision-making in an innovative setting. Ideal candidates possess a Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering with expertise in eVTOL configurations.

The position offers a salary range of $195,000 to $220,000 annually, along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or equivalent field.
• Experience with eVTOL, UAV, or unconventional aircraft configurations.
• Experience developing conceptual and preliminary aircraft sizing tools.
• Experience with CFD and aerospace analysis tools such as STAR‑CCM+, XFLR5/FLOW5, OpenVSP, Simulia/3DEXPERIENCE, MATLAB, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft-level design, sizing, and performance development for electric aircraft platforms.
• Own multidisciplinary vehicle trade studies.
• Drive rapid concept iteration and down‑selection using simulation and analysis.
• Develop and maintain aircraft performance models to support design decisions.
• Define high‑level aircraft architecture and guide configuration development.
• Work cross‑functionally with propulsion, structures, electrical, and more.
• Lead technical decision‑making under aggressive timelines.
• Support wind tunnel testing and flight testing.
• Mentor and grow a small multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Establish scalable engineering workflows and development processes.

Skills

Experience with eVTOL, UAV, or unconventional aircraft configurations

Experience developing conceptual and preliminary aircraft sizing tools

Experience with CFD and aerospace analysis tools

Flight test experience

Experience with automation workflows

Education

Master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STAR-CCM+

XFLR5/FLOW5

OpenVSP

Simulia/3DEXPERIENCE

Job description

Pivotal in Palo Alto, CA is looking for an engineering leader to design electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This role involves leading a team while driving technical decision-making in an innovative setting. Ideal candidates possess a Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering with expertise in eVTOL configurations.

The position offers a salary range of $195,000 to $220,000 annually, along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.