Mechanical Engineer

Lever, Inc.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401k match

PTO & sick leave

Job summary

Aventra Defense Systems is seeking a mid-level Mechanical Engineer to own the design and productization of subsystems within our high-altitude platform product line, from early prototype through a field-ready, producible design. This hands-on role requires clear subsystem ownership and cross-functional collaboration.

You will prototype, test, and iterate with electrical and software teams, ensuring reliability, manufacturability, and cost targets while supporting a field-ready product for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3–6 years of mechanical design experience, ideally including high-altitude, pneumatic/fluidic, or release/deployment mechanisms.
• Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks or OnShape, with a demonstrable portfolio of designs you've taken from concept through hardware.
• Hands-on prototyping and testing experience.
• US Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical design of an assigned high-altitude subsystem, building on existing prototypes and designs.
• Run bench and field testing to validate performance across environmental and altitude conditions.
• Coordinate with electrical and software teams on actuation, control, and sensor feedback interfaces relevant to the subsystem.
• Drive the transition from working prototype to a field-ready, producible design and support production handoff.

Skills

Prototyping

Testing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

OnShape

Job description

About Aventra

Aventra Defense Systems is a defense technology company developing and delivering autonomous aerial systems for the U.S. government and allied partners. We operate at the intersection of advanced hardware, software, and national security - designing, building, and fielding systems that perform in the world's most demanding environments.

We are a mission-driven team moving at startup speed with defense-grade accountability. Our programs span contracted deliveries, government demonstrations, and ongoing system development - and our pace reflects the urgency of the problems we're solving.

Position Overview & Key Responsibilities

Position Overview

Aventra Defense Systems is seeking a mid-level Mechanical Engineer to own the design and productization of subsystems within our high-altitude platform product line - from early prototype through a field-ready, producible design. This is a hands-on, individual-contributor role with clear subsystem ownership: you'll take a specific piece of the high-altitude system and drive it from where it stands today toward a production-ready product.

Key Responsibilities

Subsystem Design

• - Own mechanical design of an assigned high-altitude subsystem, building on existing prototypes and designs
• - Design for reliability, manufacturability, and cost at the subsystem level
• - Run bench and field testing to validate performance across environmental and altitude conditions

Productization

• - Drive the transition from working prototype to a field-ready, producible design
• - Identify and resolve manufacturing, sourcing, and reliability issues before they reach production
• - Support production handoff once a design is field-validated

Integration & Iteration

• - Coordinate with electrical and software teams on actuation, control, and sensor feedback interfaces relevant to the subsystem
• - Incorporate flight test data and field feedback into iterative design improvements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• - 3-6 years of industry experience in mechanical design, ideally including high-altitude, pneumatic/fluidic, or release/deployment mechanisms
• - Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks or OnShape, with a demonstrable portfolio of designs you've taken from concept through hardware
• - Hands-on prototyping and testing experience
• - US Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• - Experience with high-altitude balloon systems, valves, ballast/release mechanisms, or other stratospheric platform hardware
• - Aerospace or defense hardware background
• - Startup/small company experience

$120,000 - $185,000 a year

Compensation Package

• - Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• - Generous health coverage for employee and family, premium fully covered
• - 4% 401k match
• - PTO and Sick Leave

Travel & Work Environment

Travel Requirements

• - Travel up to 25% to customer sites, and field test locations
• - Ability to work in austere field conditions and military operational environments
• - Flexibility to support urgent operational requirements and schedule changes

Work Environment

• - In-person role based in Herndon, VA
• - Collaborative environment supporting critical national security missions
• - Direct support to warfighter capabilities and mission success

Aventra Defense Systems, Inc is a venture-backed startup building scalable, precision-guided capabilities for the next generation of combat. We are assembling a team of engineers and operators who believe in speed, simplicity, and delivering real capability to the field—not just PowerPoint slides.