Seat Engineer

Robinson Helicopter Co; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Robinson Helicopter Company, based in Torrance, CA, is seeking an experienced Seat Design Engineer to lead the design, development, and certification of helicopter seats that balance safety, weight, and cost objectives. You will apply expertise in structures, dynamics, manufacturing, and human factors to deliver compliant seating solutions.

The role covers from concept through production release, with hands-on CAD work, testing, and collaboration with suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or equivalent.
• Direct experience designing seating with human factors considerations.
• Direct experience with computer aided design and modeling with focus on manufacturability and GD&T (Solidworks or CATIA).
• Strong understanding of structures, loads, and mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, positive attitude, and ability to work with others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of seating solutions including seat structures, functional mechanisms, foam, and covers from concept through detailed engineering and production release.
• Ensure human factors requirements are met including defining the H-point and eye point, and evaluation of kinematics, reach envelopes, ergonomics, and usability.
• Design and optimize Energy Attenuation (EA) systems to meet 14 CFR 27.562.
• Conduct numerical simulations to predict structural integrity, restraint geometry, and head strike (LS-DYNA, MADYMO).
• Conduct user evaluations of proposed seat designs.
• Create detail, assembly, and installation design definitions using CAD software.
• Oversee development and manufacturing of prototype articles.
• Develop requirements, specifications, and processes including material selection.
• Lead tests for components and assemblies in lab, ground, and flight test environments; handle planning, instrumentation, data analysis, and issue resolution.
• Validate designs meet customer expectations, design objectives, and 14 CFR Part 27 requirements.
• Interface with suppliers to identify solutions and ensure requirements are satisfied.

Skills

Problem-solving

Self-starter

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Team oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

CATIA

LS-DYNA

MADYMO

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Torrance, CA 90505Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $105,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/yearJob Shift: DayJOB SUMMARY:

JOB SUMMARY:

Robinson Helicopter Company is a leading manufacturer of civil rotorcraft with a 50-year history of providing affordable helicopters for a wide range of applications. Robinson is an engineering focused organization that provides challenging and exciting opportunities to contribute to the future of vertical flight.

The Seat Design Engineer is a member of the engineering team who is responsible for the design, development, and certification of helicopter seats which meet safety, weight, and cost objectives. This role requires technical expertise in structures, dynamics, manufacturing, and human factors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design and development of seating solutions including seat structures, functional mechanisms, foam, and covers from concept through detailed engineering and production release.
• Ensure human factors requirements are met including defining the H-point and eye point, and evaluation of kinematics, reach envelopes, ergonomics, and usability.
• Design and optimize Energy Attenuation (EA) systems to meet the requirements of 14 CFR 27.562.
• Conduct numerical simulations to predict structural integrity, restraint geometry, and head strike (LS-DYNA, MADYMO).
• Conduct user evaluations of proposed seat designs.
• Create detail, assembly, and installation design definitions using CAD software.
• Oversee the development and manufacturing of prototype articles.
• Develop requirements, specifications, and processes including material selection.
• Identify, plan, and lead tests for components and assemblies in the laboratory, ground, and flight test environment as necessary to include test planning, conformity, instrumentation, test conduct, data analysis, and issue resolution.
• Validate that designs meet customer expectations, design objectives, and the requirements of 14 CFR Part 27.
• Interface with suppliers to identify solutions to design problems, establish requirements, and ensure requirements are satisfied.
• Report on project status, schedules, and risks.
• Develop processes and tools to improve the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the work.

QualificationsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Direct experience designing seating including human factors consideration.
• Direct experience with computer aided design and modeling with a focus on design for manufacturing and the application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (Solidworks or CATIA).
• Strong understanding of structures, loads, and mechanical systems.
• Must be a proven self-starter requiring minimal supervision, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent academic record.
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and work well with others.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with seat design, fabrication, integration, development, and testing for aircraft applications.
• Deep understanding of aircraft certification requirements in 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29.
• Direct experience with non-linear crash simulation (LS-DYNA) and multi-body simulation (MADYMO).

Pay Range: $105,000 - $150,000 annually