Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator

LiquidPiston, Inc.; Suffield (CT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health & Wellness

Equity Participation

401(k) Match

Career Growth

Job summary

LiquidPiston, Inc. is seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator to own the top-level CAD model for VTOL and UAS platforms. You will coordinate structures, propulsion, avionics, electricals, cooling, and controls to form a cohesive, buildable aircraft.

This hands-on role bridges design and hardware in a fast-moving R&D setting. The ideal candidate has 5+ years owning full-vehicle CAD models, strong SolidWorks/CATIA skills, and a track record across disciplines with excellent

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of applied engineering experience in aerospace, UAS/UAV, defense, or complex product development.
• Experience owning a top-level assembly or vehicle-level CAD model for a complete aircraft or major system.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or CATIA and large assembly management.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, aircraft integration, and packaging for manufacturing.
• Experience working across multiple disciplines and resolving competing subsystem requirements.
• Strong GD&T skills and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, testing hardware.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and physics-based reasoning.
• Ability to work independently and drive solutions in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own, maintain, and improve the top-level aircraft CAD model.
• Integrate subsystems into a cohesive vehicle configuration.
• Manage interfaces and resolve fit and interference early in design.
• Coordinate CAD models and inputs from engineers, vendors, and partners.
• Resolve geometry and updated references to keep the model accurate.
• Design structures and subsystems for LiquidPiston’s propulsion tech.
• Assess impact of changes on weight, CG, and performance.
• Support design reviews and configuration-control.

Skills

CAD Modeling

SolidWorks

CATIA

GD&T

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

CFD

PLM

PDM

Job description

Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator

Location: Suffield, CT

Schedule: Onsite, 5 days per week

Why LiquidPiston?

LiquidPiston is developing next-generation propulsion technology for aerospace, defense, and advanced mobility applications. Our compact rotary engine technology delivers high power density in a lightweight package, creating new possibilities for VTOL aircraft, UAS, hybrid-electric propulsion, and other demanding applications.

At LiquidPiston, engineers have the opportunity to work on technology that moves quickly from concept to hardware to testing. This is a highly collaborative, hands‑on environment where you will have meaningful ownership and see the direct impact of your work.

If you enjoy solving difficult engineering problems, working across disciplines, and turning innovative concepts into real hardware, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of advanced aircraft and propulsion systems.

The Opportunity

LiquidPiston is seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator to play a key role in the design and integration of our fixed-wing VTOL and UAS platforms.

You will own the top-level aircraft CAD model and be responsible for understanding how the entire aircraft fits together. You will work across structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical systems, cooling, controls, and other disciplines to ensure that individual subsystem designs come together as a functional, buildable aircraft.

This is a hands‑on engineering role for someone who enjoys being close to both the design and the hardware. You will help move aircraft designs from concept through detailed design, prototyping, integration, ground testing, and flight-test iteration.

The ideal candidate has experience owning a full-vehicle or major-system CAD assembly and is comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D environment where engineers are expected to take ownership, solve problems independently, and work across traditional engineering boundaries.

Responsibilities

Aircraft Design & Integration

• Own, maintain, and continuously improve the top-level aircraft CAD model.
• Integrate structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical systems, cooling, controls, and other aircraft subsystems into a cohesive vehicle configuration.
• Manage interfaces between engineering disciplines and identify fit, clearance, packaging, and interference issues before they reach the build.
• Coordinate CAD models and design inputs from multiple engineers, vendors, and external partners.
• Resolve conflicting geometry, outdated references, and integration issues to maintain an accurate and reliable aircraft model.
• Design and develop aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and subsystems associated with LiquidPiston's hybrid propulsion technology.
• Evaluate how subsystem-level design changes affect aircraft-level weight, CG, mass properties, packaging, and performance.
• Perform aircraft-level engineering and configuration trade studies.

Prototyping, Testing & Iteration

• Support the fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of aircraft components and systems.
• Work directly with technicians and manufacturing personnel to identify and resolve design and build issues.
• Participate in ground and component testing and ensure test articles accurately represent the released design.
• Support flight-test preparation, aircraft configuration reviews, and post-test design iterations.
• Rapidly incorporate lessons learned from testing into subsequent aircraft designs.Support design reviews, including SRR, PDR, and CDR, with accurate and current aircraft-level models and drawings.

Configuration & Design Documentation

• Establish and maintain practical configuration-control processes appropriate for a small, rapidly evolving engineering organization.
• Manage part numbering, revisions, design changes, and released documentation.
• Maintain drawing packages and ensure released drawings accurately reflect the current aircraft configuration.
• Document aircraft interfaces, design rationale, and CAD model structure to preserve critical engineering knowledge.
• Work with external suppliers and engineering partners to incorporate designs and analyses into the aircraft configuration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of applied engineering experience in aerospace, UAS/UAV, defense, advanced mobility, or another complex product‑development environment.
• Demonstrated experience owning a top-level assembly or vehicle‑level CAD model for a complete aircraft, vehicle, or major integrated system.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable mechanical CAD platform, including large assembly management.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, aircraft integration, system interfaces, packaging, and design for manufacturing.
• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines and resolving competing subsystem requirements.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Hands‑on experience designing, building, troubleshooting, or testing physical hardware.
• Strong engineering fundamentals with the ability to apply physics‑based reasoning to practical design decisions.
• Ability to work independently, identify problems, and drive solutions from concept through implementation.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced R&D environment where designs and priorities can evolve quickly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing fixed-wing VTOL, UAS, UAV, or autonomous aircraft.
• Experience integrating propulsion systems into aircraft, including engines, generators, hybrid‑electric systems, or electric propulsion.
• Experience with aircraft‑level weight, balance, CG, and mass‑property management.
• Experience designing composite aircraft structures using carbon fiber, fiberglass, and epoxy systems.
• FEA experience using ANSYS or similar tools, particularly for aerospace structures and design optimization.
• Aircraft‑specific CFD experience or experience incorporating external CFD analysis into aircraft design.
• Experience with additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping.
• Experience with autonomous flight‑control systems, R/C aircraft, avionics, or electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with FAA conformity, certification, or aerospace design documentation requirements.
• Experience with PLM, PDM, ERP, or formal configuration‑management systems.
• Experience working with external engineering, manufacturing, or analysis vendors.
• A portfolio demonstrating relevant aircraft, vehicle, mechanical design, or prototype development work.

Benefits & Perks:

• PTO: We value work‑life balance and encourage time to rest and recharge.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical and voluntary dental, and vision coverage - you choose what works best for you.
• Equity Participation: Employes may receive RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).
• 401(k) Match: We offer a 401k w/100% matching up to 3% of your salary and then 50% of contributions between 3-5% after 1 year of employment.
• Career Growth: Ongoing training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to accelerate your growth.

Our Culture:

At LiquidPiston, we embrace challenges, move fast, and celebrate curiosity. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. We understand that innovation involves risk - and we're not afraid to fail as we move forward.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against, and receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status or disability.

All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.