Rapid Prototyping Engineer – Drones & Unmanned Systems

Havoc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Equity package

Home-office stipend

Parental leave

Wellness stipend

Job summary

HavocAI in San Diego seeks a Senior Rapid Prototyping Engineer to mature Locust, a DoD fieldable UAS, from prototype to production. You’ll work directly with hardware, turning concepts into functioning drones, integrating mechanical and electrical systems, and iterating fast based on test results.

You'll design airframes, mounts, and interfaces, assemble prototypes, and troubleshoot hardware across mech and electromech domains, using CAD and multiple fabrication methods.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics or equivalent practical engineering experience.
• 3+ years developing physical hardware systems.
• Demonstrated experience building and testing drones, UAVs, robotics, aircraft, or autonomous systems.
• Strong mechanical CAD skills and hands‑on fabrication ability.
• Experience with multiple manufacturing and fabrication processes.
• Strong mechanical intuition and troubleshooting of real-world hardware.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly turn concepts and requirements into functional drone prototypes.
• Design and modify airframes, brackets, mounts, enclosures, and interfaces.
• Build and assemble prototype unmanned aircraft and subsystems.
• Integrate propulsion, avionics, sensors, compute hardware, and payloads.
• Create CAD designs and engineering drawings for fast-turn parts.
• Fabricate parts using additive, CNC, sheet metal, composites, and more.
• Perform hands-on fabrication, assembly, and modification of prototype hardware.
• Develop test fixtures and experimental setups for validation.
• Support bench, ground, environmental, and flight testing.

Skills

Hands-on hardware prototyping

Drones/UAS experience

Mechanical CAD

Prototype assembly

Electromechanical troubleshooting

Multifabrication processes

Rapid design iteration

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or equivalent practical engineering experience

Tools

CAD software

3D printing

CNC machining

Sheet metal fabrication

Job description

About Us:

Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk. Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .

About the Role

HavocAI is seeking a Senior Rapid Prototyping Engineer to lead the technical maturation of Locust, our advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS), as it transitions from a demonstrated prototype to a Department of Defense (DoD) fieldable, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) platform.

This role is for an engineer who wants to spend significant time working directly with hardware. You will turn early concepts into functioning prototypes, integrate mechanical and electrical systems, troubleshoot vehicles, conduct tests, and make fast design changes based on what you learn.

Key Responsibilities

• Rapidly turn concepts and requirements into functional drone prototypes

• Design and modify airframes, mechanisms, brackets, mounts, enclosures, payload interfaces, and vehicle components

• Build and assemble prototype unmanned aircraft and subsystems

• Integrate motors, propulsion systems, batteries, avionics, sensors, compute hardware, communications, equipment, and payloads

• Create quick-turn CAD designs and engineering drawings

• Use additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sheet metal, composites, and other fabrication methods to produce prototype parts

• Perform hands‑on fabrication, assembly, rework, and modification of prototype hardware

• Develop test fixtures and experimental setups

• Support bench testing, ground testing, environmental testing, and flight testing

• Diagnose hardware and integration failures across mechanical and electromechanical systems

• Rapidly redesign components based on test results

Required Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or equivalent practical engineering experience

• 3+ years developing physical hardware systems

• Demonstrated experience building and testing drones, UAVs, robotics, aircraft, or autonomous systems

• Strong mechanical CAD skills

• Significant hands‑on experience building electromechanical prototypes

• Experience with multiple manufacturing and fabrication processes

• Strong mechanical intuition and ability to troubleshoot real-world hardware problems

• Comfortable using common shop tools and performing prototype assembly and modification

Preferred Qualifications

• Personally designed, built, modified, or operated drones/UAVs

• Experience with multirotor, VTOL, fixed-wing, or hybrid UAV platforms

• Experience integrating electric propulsion systems

• Experience with motors, ESCs, batteries, servos, flight controllers, radios, GPS, sensors, or avionics

• RC aircraft, drone racing, experimental aircraft, robotics competition, or similar hands‑on project experience

Why HavocAI

At HavocAI, you'll help build autonomous systems that solve real-world challenges in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. You'll work alongside exceptional engineers, move quickly, and see your work transition from prototype to production and ultimately into the hands of operators.

If you're excited about solving difficult engineering problems, owning critical technical decisions, and helping shape the future of autonomous systems, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission - protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it's supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.