Design Engineer - Structures & Materials

Astro Mechanica; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Propulsion Design Engineer to lead the design and validation of critical mechanical systems for a cutting-edge turboelectric adaptive jet engine. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of hardware design, from CAD drawings to prototype assembly, while tackling complex engineering challenges. You will apply your expertise in material selection and structural analysis to ensure manufacturability and reliability. Join a team where your contributions will directly influence the future of aviation technology, and where a test-like-you-fly philosophy drives every project.

Qualifications

• Experience in hardware design from concept to production.
• Strong background in structural analysis and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate mechanical systems for turboelectric engines.
• Optimize structural effectiveness using FEA and hand calculations.

Skills

CAD Design

GD&T Application

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Material Selection

Mechanical Analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Job description

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Propulsion Design Engineer to join our expanding team. The ideal candidate will take full ownership of structural hardware design from concept through production, with a deep understanding of how their work impacts surrounding systems. Challenges are approached from first principles. Your contributions will influence the configuration, manufacturability, and reliability of the turboelectric adaptive jet engine.

Your mission in this role is to design, analyze, and validate critical mechanical systems from early prototypes to flight qualification, vehicle integration, and aircraft flight. You will embody the "test-like-you-fly" philosophy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Own hardware design, including CAD modeling, detailed drawings, and application of GD&T.

• Conduct design trade studies considering material selection, thermal loads, and mechanical requirements.

• Utilize hand calculations and computational tools (FEA) to optimize structural effectiveness and analyze reliability under real-world conditions.

• Design and analyze material joining methods such as welding, brazing, and fastening techniques.

• Design manufacturing tooling and fixturing to support hardware fabrication and prototype assembly.

• Assemble prototypes, establish work instructions, and support testing and debugging processes.