Senior Flight Structures & Mechanisms Engineer

Wardstone; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wardstone is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to own major structural and mechanical subsystems on the interceptor, from concept to flight hardware. You will perform structural, vibration, and thermal analyses, and develop production-ready CAD models with GD&T while collaborating with propulsion, aerodynamics, and controls teams.

You will directly shape hardware through shop and test environments, selecting materials suitable for high‑stress aerospace applications, and mentoring junior

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years designing flight or high-load hardware.
• Owned at least one subsystem from design through test.
• Strong CAD skills with complex assemblies and GD&T.
• Strong structural analysis skills incl. hand calculations and FEA.
• Material selection experience for high-stress aerospace applications.
• Hands-on with hardware in shop and test environments.
• U.S. person per ITAR; eligible for U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design subsystems from requirements through flight hardware.
• Run structural, vibration, shock, and thermal analyses (hand calcs & FEA).
• Produce production-ready CAD models and drawings with GD&T.
• Contribute to vehicle-level work, including loads analysis and mass properties.
• Collaborate with propulsion and aerodynamics on thermal loads and interfaces.
• Package and mount avionics, harnesses, and actuators with electrical/controls teams.
• Select materials and processes; work with vendors to ensure parts meet specs.
• Design test fixtures and rigs; perform structural and environmental tests, improve designs.
• Build and modify hardware in-house; mentor junior engineers and participate in reviews.

Skills

CAD drafting

Structural analysis

GD&T

Hands-on hardware

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering or related

Tools

FEA software

CAD software

Job description

Wardstone is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to own major structural and mechanical subsystems on the interceptor, from concept to flight hardware. You will perform structural, vibration, and thermal analyses, and develop production-ready CAD models with GD&T while collaborating with propulsion, aerodynamics, and controls teams.

You will directly shape hardware through shop and test environments, selecting materials suitable for high‑stress aerospace applications, and mentoring junior