Director of Mechanical Engineering: Aerospace Hardware Leader

Neon Aerospace; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Health benefits

Job summary

Neon Aero is seeking a Director of Mechanical Engineering to lead the organization responsible for developing and delivering next generation hardware. This leader will own mechanical engineering capability, quality, and execution across programs, guiding teams from architecture through production.

The ideal candidate has built strong engineering teams and delivered hardware from concept to customer deployment in demanding environments such as aerospace, electronics, or robotics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years with physical product development and production exposure.
• 5+ years leading mechanical/hardware teams.
• Experience taking products from concept to production.
• Strong grasp of structural, mechanical, and electromechanical fundamentals.
• Hands-on leadership with hardware focus and strong execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead Neon’s Mechanical Engineering organization and teams across programs.
• Own mechanical design, architecture, and readiness from concept to production.
• Set engineering standards, GD&T, tolerancing, and documentation.
• Drive fast, disciplined design-build-test cycles; manage manufacturability and cost.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to scale complex hardware.

Skills

Mechanical leadership

Cross-functional leadership

GD&T

CAD proficiency

Prototype development

Supplier engagement

Cost optimization

Team development

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

FMEA

Job description

Neon Aero is seeking a Director of Mechanical Engineering to lead the organization responsible for developing and delivering next generation hardware. This leader will own mechanical engineering capability, quality, and execution across programs, guiding teams from architecture through production.

The ideal candidate has built strong engineering teams and delivered hardware from concept to customer deployment in demanding environments such as aerospace, electronics, or robotics.