Lead Airframe Structures Engineer — Next-Gen Aircraft Design

Approach Venture; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

401(k) retirement plan

Unlimited paid time off

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

Approach Venture in San Diego leads the development of a next-generation aircraft platform and seeks a Lead Airframe Structures Engineer to own the structural development strategy from concept through first flight.

You will guide the structures team, make design decisions, manage joint design and sizing, and coordinate with manufacturing, suppliers, and leadership to hit milestones and optimize weight, cost, and performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience designing aircraft structures or related aerospace hardware.
• Experience leading structural engineering efforts on complex aerospace development programs.
• Strong understanding of load paths, structural mechanics, and airframe architecture.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools and FEA for sizing and analysis.
• Knowledge of FAA Part 23/25 certification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall structural design strategy for the aircraft from concept through flight testing.
• Provide technical leadership for the structures team and mentor engineers.
• Own structural architecture, design decisions, and project schedules.
• Direct airframe trade studies to optimize weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Design primary and secondary structures using composites and metals.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, analysis, systems, and supply chain teams.
• Interface with structural suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Review deliverables for quality, accuracy, and schedule execution.
• Perform sizing, joint design, and preliminary stress assessments using analysis/FEA.
• Identify risks and drive mitigation and issue resolution.
• Align technical priorities with program objectives with leadership.
• Support integration, ground testing, and first-flight readiness.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Leadership

Structural analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

Approach Venture in San Diego leads the development of a next-generation aircraft platform and seeks a Lead Airframe Structures Engineer to own the structural development strategy from concept through first flight.

You will guide the structures team, make design decisions, manage joint design and sizing, and coordinate with manufacturing, suppliers, and leadership to hit milestones and optimize weight, cost, and performance.