Lead Aeromechanical Engineer

Knightwerx; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite in Scottsdale

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Knightwerx is seeking a Lead Aeromechanical Engineer in Scottsdale, AZ to drive the structural and mechanical development of next-generation UAVs from concept to production. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, own the composite airframe life cycle, and ensure designs meet performance, weight, and reliability targets.

You will bridge aerodynamic concepts with manufacturing realities, oversee test plans, and collaborate across avionics, propulsion, and QA/QC to accelerate delivery of robust

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive aerospace vehicle design experience.
• Proven track record in a technical leadership or principal engineer role.
• Composite design, stress analysis, and production implementation experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive the technical roadmap for aircraft structures and aeromechanical subsystems from conceptual architecture through detailed design, qualification, and manufacturing.
• Lead and mentor a team of structural, mechanical, and materials engineers, fostering innovation and high workmanship standards.
• Manage trade-offs between aerodynamic efficiency, structural weight, manufacturing complexity, and cost.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors or sub-contractors.

Skills

Technical leadership

Composite design

CAD design

FEA analysis

GD&T

Team mentoring

Education

Masters/PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Materials

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

Femap

Nastran

ANSYS

Job description

Shape the next generation of UAVs from design through commercialization.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Aeromechanical Engineer to spearhead the structural and mechanical development of our next-generation flight vehicles. In this role, you will bridge the gap between initial aerodynamic concepts and scaled production, providing both deep technical expertise and strategic leadership.

The ideal candidate brings a robust background in composite airframe development, taking structures from initial layout through full-rate production environments. While overseeing complex aeromechanical systems, you will guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians, ensuring our platforms meet stringent performance, weight, and reliability standards.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Drive the technical roadmap for aircraft structures and aeromechanical subsystems from conceptual architecture through detailed design, qualification, and manufacturing.
• Lead and mentor a team of structural, mechanical, and materials engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, rigorous analysis, and high workmanship standards.
• Manage technical trade-offs between aerodynamic efficiency, structural weight, manufacturing complexity, and cost.
• Oversee mid-to-large scale engineering work, coordinating seamlessly with internal cross-functional teams (avionics, propulsion, guidance) and external vendors or sub-contractors.

Composite Design & Production Integration

• Own the composite airframe life cycle, including initial structural sizing, material selection, detailed laminate design, and structural optimization.
• Bridge the gap between design and the shop floor by establishing manufacturing workflows, tooling concepts, and QA/QC parameters for composite layups, bagging, infusion, curing, and bonding.
• Develop and execute comprehensive structural test plans, including coupon-level testing, component-level testing, and full-scale vehicle structural qualification.

UAV System Development

• Adapt aerospace design philosophies to the fast-paced development cycles of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• Maximize aircraft performance through innovative payload integration, environmental packaging (vibration, thermal, and shock isolation), and rapid mechanism prototyping.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in aerospace vehicle design, with a proven track record in a technical leadership or principal engineer role.
• Composite Expertise: Demonstrated success in the design, stress analysis, and production implementation of primary and secondary composite structures (carbon fiber, fiberglass, sandwich panels).
• Production Background: Hands-on experience working directly with manufacturing teams to transition composite concepts into repeatable, scalable production processes.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with CAD software (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and composite design modules.
• Deep understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools (e.g., Femap, Nastran, ANSYS) for composite laminate analysis, failure criteria, and structural dynamics.
• Experience with rapid prototyping workflows, tool design, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in the development, flight testing, and production scaling of small-to-medium Unmanned UAV systems (fixed-wing, multirotor, or eVTOL).
• Experience with defense or aerospace development programs where rapid iteration, vehicle flight speed, and agility are highly prioritized.
• Familiarity with building internal analysis tools or leveraging advanced automation/AI workflows to accelerate design verification.

About Knightwerx

Knightwerx develops American-made, AI-powered unmanned aerial systems and remote sensing technologies that support human-machine teaming in mission-critical environments. We build next-generation aerospace and autonomy solutions for both commercial and government customers where performance, speed, and reliability matter.

As a growing company, we offer the opportunity to work close to the mission, close to the product, and close to the decisions that shape what gets built.

Additional Information

• Onsite position in Scottsdale, AZ
• Relocation assistance available for this role