Mechanical Engineer

Stealth; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech firm in Redwood City is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to prototype UAV hardware. This role involves designing mechanical assemblies, conducting field tests, and iterating based on feedback. Candidates should have a B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, proficiency with CAD tools, and experience in mechanical fabrication. Ideal for those with a passion for rapid prototyping and improving user experience in UAV operations.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with CAD tools including GD&T and mechanical packaging.
• Hands-on experience in mechanical fabrication and machining.
• Strong programming capability in Python or C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype mechanical assemblies for UAV platforms.
• Conduct field testing to evaluate performance and operator experience.
• Collaborate with teams for seamless system integration.

Skills

CAD tools

Python

Mechanical fabrication

3D printing

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS

Onshape

Solidworks

Job description

We’re looking for a hands‑on Mechanical Engineer who thrives on rapidly turning ideas into functional UAV hardware. In this role, you will prototype new mechanical and fluidic subsystems, integrate them into airframes, conduct field flight tests, and iterate directly based on pilot, operator, and customer feedback.

You will work across mechanical design, system integration, test development, and user‑experience improvement to push our UAV platforms to new levels of performance, reliability, and ease of use.

Key Responsibilities

Rapid Prototyping & Mechanical Design

• Design and prototype mechanical assemblies, structural components, payload integration hardware, and fluid/pneumatic subsystems for UAV platforms.
• Build detailed CAD models, mechanical routing, and mounting solutions optimized for manufacturability, robustness, and ease of maintenance.
• Run structural, fatigue, thermal, and vibration analyses to ensure airworthiness and durability.

Integration & Field Flight Testing

• Own hardware from concept to field deployment—including sourcing, fabrication coordination, assembly, and on‑aircraft integration.
• Develop test plans and bring‑up procedures for subsystem evaluation and flight trials.
• Participate directly in field testing to evaluate aircraft performance, subsystem behavior, and operator experience.

User Experience & Operational Improvements

• Work closely with pilots, test operators, and customers to understand pain points in setup, maintenance, and field operations.
• Design mechanical and system‑level improvements that reduce operator overhead, streamline pre‑flight workflows, and improve reliability.
• Create intuitive procedures, improved documentation, and simplified hardware interfaces.

Systems Modeling & Performance Evaluation

• Build models for mechanical, pneumatic, or actuation systems to optimize performance and predict behavior under different mission profiles.
• Analyze flight data to inform design iterations and validate improvements.
• Collaborate with controls, software, and electronics teams to ensure seamless system‑level integration.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Onshape, Solidworks) including GD&T, routing, and mechanical packaging.
• Experience with structural or thermal analysis tools such as ANSYS or similar.
• Hands‑on experience in mechanical fabrication, machining, 3D printing, and assembly.
• Strong programming capability in Python, C/C++, or similar for data analysis and modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on UAVs, mechatronics systems, field robotics, or other flight hardware platforms.
• Background in mechanical systems involving valves, sensors, actuators, pneumatics, or pressure systems.
• Familiarity with avionics, PCB design, data logging systems, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing.
• Ability to execute quick turn design cycles—from scratch concepts to test‑ready hardware in short timelines.
• Comfort with field testing conditions and iterative on‑site troubleshooting.

What You Bring

• A builder’s mindset and passion for hands‑on prototyping.
• Ability to move fluidly between design, analysis, fabrication, and testing.
• Strong communication and a user‑centered approach to improving workflows and operator experience.
• A sense of ownership over entire subsystems—not just individual parts.