Mechanical Engineer - Dropship (Multiple Levels)

Pyka; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

FSA

401(k)

Paid holidays and generous PTO

Disability insurance

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Free catered lunch

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and integration of key aircraft components for their autonomous electric cargo aircraft program in Alameda, CA. You will oversee CAD modeling, structural analysis, prototyping, and testing while partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure robust system performance.

The role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, tooling design, and close collaboration with aeromechanical, propulsion, electrical, and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably aerospace/high-performance vehicles.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred) with complex assemblies.
• Solid understanding of structural design principles and material properties.
• Experience with basic stress analysis (hand calcs) and FEA.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies for aircraft environments.
• Perform structural and stress analyses (hand calculations and FEA).
• Apply GD&T and tolerancing for manufacturability and assembly.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings (SolidWorks preferred).
• Support integration of components into airframes (composite and metallic).
• Lead prototyping, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with aeromechanical, propulsion, electrical, and manufacturing teams.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

CAD modelling

FEA

GD&T

SolidWorks

Structural analysis

Education

Mechanical/Aerospace Eng Degree

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Job description

About Pyka

Pyka's goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we're taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a highly skilled Mechanical Engineer to join our cargo aircraft team. In this role, you will lead the mechanical design and integration of key aircraft components. Your work will span from detailed CAD design to structural analysis, prototyping, and testing - all while collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies with consideration for aircraft environments and performance.
• Perform basic structural and stress analysis (hand calculations and FEA) to validate designs.
• Apply GD&T and appropriate tolerancing to ensure manufacturability and proper assembly.
• Generate detailed 3D CAD models and engineering drawings (SolidWorks preferred).
• Support structural integration of components into composite and metallic airframe structures.
• Design basic tooling and fixtures to support prototyping and testing.
• Lead hands-on prototyping, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with aeromechanical, propulsion, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust requirement definition and collaboration across systems.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor junior engineers as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably in aerospace or high-performance vehicle environments.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks highly preferred), including modeling of complex assemblies.
• Solid understanding of structural design principles and material properties.
• Experience with basic stress analysis, both analytical (hand calcs) and FEA (e.g., SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS).
• Practical knowledge of tolerancing, fits, and GD&T.
• Experience with component integration into airframes or structural assemblies.
• Comfortable with hands-on prototyping, fabrication, and testing.
• Effective communicator and team collaborator with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with composite materials and bonded structures.
• Familiarity with aviation industry standards and certification practices.
• Prior experience designing for lightweight, high-strength applications.
• Experience designing tooling or fixtures for small-scale production or testing environments.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don't need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we'd love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn't align perfectly with the list.

Compensation & Benefits

• Mechanical Engineer II: $118,000 - $149,000 + equity.
• Sr. Mechanical Engineer: $138,000-$170,000 + equity.
• Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
• Equity
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA with employer matching
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.