Mechanical Engineer, Airframe and Structures

Society of Defense Financial Management; Rock Hill (SC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design airframe structures and assemblies for our unmanned platforms. You will own components from concept through test and production release, balancing weight, strength, cost, and manufacturability.

You will work alongside manufacturing engineering on the floor and with aerodynamics and systems on vehicle-level trades to optimize weight, balance and configuration. Hands-on prototyping and rigorous GD&T documentation are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience taking components through from concept to manufacture.
• Strong CAD proficiency and knowledge of GD&T and drawing practices.
• Hands-on prototyping and test experience.
• Working knowledge of material selection and structural analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design airframe structures, housings, mounts, and mechanisms for unmanned aircraft.
• Perform structural analysis and hand calculations; apply FEA where warranted.
• Own components from concept through prototype, qualification test, and production release.
• Create and maintain detailed drawings, GD&T, and technical data packages.
• Support design for manufacturability with manufacturing engineering and suppliers.
• Build and test prototypes, including fixture design and instrumentation.
• Participate in vehicle-level weight, balance, and configuration trades.
• Investigate structural failures from test and field use and drive corrective design.

Skills

CAD proficiency

GD&T

Drawing practices

Structural analysis

Prototyping & testing

US Person status

Education

Degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

FEA software

CAD software

Job description

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Why Join Powerus

Every gram on an unmanned aircraft is contested. Structure competes with battery, payload, and range, and the mechanical decisions made early determine what the platform can do for the rest of its life.

This role owns that trade space. You will design airframes and structures that are light enough to fly the mission and manufacturable enough to build in volume, a few hundred feet from the line that builds them.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design airframe structures, mechanisms, and assemblies for our unmanned platforms. You will own components from concept through analysis, prototype, test, and production release, balancing weight, strength, cost, and manufacturability. You will work alongside manufacturing engineering on the floor and with aerodynamics and systems on vehicle-level trades.

Key Responsibilities

• Design airframe structures, housings, mounts, and mechanisms for unmanned aircraft
• Perform structural analysis and hand calculations, supported by FEA where warranted
• Own components from concept through prototype, qualification test, and production release
• Create and maintain detailed drawings, GD&T, and technical data packages
• Support design for manufacturability with manufacturing engineering and suppliers
• Build and test prototypes, including fixture design and instrumentation
• Participate in vehicle-level weight, balance, and configuration trades
• Investigate structural failures from test and field use and drive corrective design

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Rock Hill, SC
• Degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience
• Experience designing components and assemblies taken through to manufacture
• Strong CAD proficiency and command of GD&T and drawing practice
• Working knowledge of structural analysis and material selection
• Hands-on prototyping and test experience
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAV, aerospace, or lightweight structures
• Composite design and manufacturing experience
• Familiarity with injection moulding, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing trade-offs
• FEA proficiency
• Experience with vibration, shock, or environmental qualification testing

What We Look For

We are looking for engineers who build what they draw. This role sits close to the shop floor and rewards people who will print a part, break it, and revise it rather than iterate in CAD alone. You should be comfortable being told by a technician that your design is hard to assemble, and interested in why.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.