Flight-Ready Vehicle Mechanical & Structural Engineer

Approach Venture; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Approach Venture is seeking a Mechanical & Structural Engineer to own the vehicle hardware, structures, and integration behind a next-generation interceptor. Based in El Segundo, this on-site role spans from early sizing and CAD through prototype builds, environmental testing, and flight integration.

You will balance structural performance, manufacturability, cost, and speed while collaborating across propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, controls, and manufacturing to deliver vehicle-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years hands-on mechanical or structural design experience in aerospace/defense or similar hardware.
• Strong CAD proficiency and experience managing complex assemblies.
• Experience with static, dynamic, vibration analyses, or other structural methods.
• U.S. Person status required.

Responsibilities

• Own major mechanical and structural subsystems of the interceptor from concept through flight.
• Perform structural analysis including hand calculations, FEA, and testing to size and validate structures.
• Develop and manage CAD models for full vehicle and supporting hardware; define interfaces and packaging.
• Collaborate with suppliers, machine shops, and manufacturing partners to procure and troubleshoot hardware.

Skills

Hands-on mechanical design

Structural analysis

CAD proficiency

GD&T

Assembly & testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Approach Venture is seeking a Mechanical & Structural Engineer to own the vehicle hardware, structures, and integration behind a next-generation interceptor. Based in El Segundo, this on-site role spans from early sizing and CAD through prototype builds, environmental testing, and flight integration.

You will balance structural performance, manufacturability, cost, and speed while collaborating across propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, controls, and manufacturing to deliver vehicle-level