Mechanical Engineering Manager

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero); San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

PTO

Life insurance

Job summary

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) in San Luis Obispo, CA, seeks a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead the mechanical engineering team across UAV subsystem development, from requirements through testing. The role oversees design, analysis, and deployment with a strong emphasis on coordination with manufacturing and quality.

You will manage budgets and staffing, mentor engineers, and drive projects to on-time delivery while pursuing new opportunities with customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years in mechanical or aerospace with hardware deployment.
• Minimum 3 years in managerial role.
• Experience with aerostructures, flight/propulsion, and composites.
• CAD experience with SolidWorks preferred.
• Configuration management in a PLM-based system.
• Requirements development/management (JAMA preferred).
• Developed systems test plans and reports in aerospace.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering team including budget, staffing, training, performance evaluation.
• Mentor engineers across projects.
• Oversee design and development of UAV systems and product changes.
• Support active projects and generate concepts for new opportunities.
• Plan workload for aeromechanical design to meet project demands.
• Maintain high customer satisfaction with internal and external customers.
• Serve as liaison between design, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Interact with customers and peer group managers.
• Communicate priorities to clarify risks.
• Establish budgets, schedules, and work plans.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace knowledge

SolidWorks

PLM configuration

Requirements mgmt

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM/CM

Job description

Summary

The Mechanical Engineering Manager is an experienced individual within the aerospace, technology, or related industry with extensive knowledge performing one's function, focused on the development of the next generation UAV systems and their subsystems. This will include all levels and facets of design from requirements generation, conceptual design, and detailed design and will include building and testing of these systems. As a member of the Engineering management team, the Mechanical Engineering Manager oversees the Mechanical discipline and participates in defining and executing the overall engineering product development strategy, budget, team development and evaluation.

Position Responsibilities

• Manages a group of mechanical engineering professionals, including budget planning, staffing, training, performance evaluation, and career development
• Provides support and mentorship to engineers across a wide portfolio of development projects
• Manages the design and development of new Unmanned Aircraft System products as well as product changes and enhancements
• Directly supports the development of active projects as well as generation of concepts and material for emerging opportunities including proposals for new projects
• Responsible for managing resources to meet project demands by planning workload for aeromechanical design activities
• Maintains a high level of customer satisfaction with both internal and external customers
• Serves as connection point between design, manufacturing, and quality engineering team
• Frequently interacts with customers and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas
• Assists with communicating business priorities as it relates to team’s area of responsibilities in order to help facilitate a clear vision of priorities and risks
• Establishes and assures adherence to budgets, schedules, and work plans

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 10+ years' experience in Mechanical or Aerospace field, of which a minimum of 5 years designing, analyzing, and maintaining complex mechanical systems with demonstrated transition to deployment of hardware
• Minimum of 3 years in a managerial/supervisory role
• Experienced and knowledgeable of aerospace mechanical systems specially aerostructures, flight control systems, propulsion systems, and composite materials
• Experienced with CAD software for 3D models and 2D drawings (SolidWorks preferred)
• Experienced with configuration management in a PLM-based system (Agile preferred)
• Experienced with requirements development and management (JAMA preferred)
• Has developed systems test plans, procedures, and reports against internal and customer requirements and specifications in an Aerospace and Defense environment
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and success to deliver products that meet requirements on time and on budget

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is preferred
• Demonstrated success with DoD acquisition or development programs
• Demonstrates competency in converting a developed concept into a high-quality, manufacturable design
• Demonstrates competency in implementing Agile methods and tools (Planner) to plan, track progress and remain on schedule and proposes strategies for further efficiency
• Skilled at anticipating problems and develops sound solutions through implementation of action plans to ensure success
• Drives for results, action oriented. Displays organizational and leadership skills
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills
• Willingness and Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance/US citizenship preferred

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off
• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees

Company Overview

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel

the aerospace industry forward.

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**

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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.

E-Verify participation required for employment.

Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Must be able to pass background check.

Pay Range: $118,000-$175,000 Salary Exempt