Senior Mechanical Engineer

Skyways; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in autonomous air transportation is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to manage aircraft subsystems from concept to flight. This role involves designing components, developing prototypes, and integrating systems within a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience with complex hardware systems. The position is based in Austin, Texas and seeks individuals who can contribute to groundbreaking aviation technology.

Qualifications

• Strong technical judgement and comfort working hands-on with hardware.
• Experience from concept through build and testing of hardware.
• Comfort with resolving integration issues.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical subsystems from concept through build and flight validation.
• Design structural and mechanical components for autonomous aircraft.
• Develop prototypes and iterate designs based on testing data.

Skills

Complex hardware systems experience

Strong CAD and mechanical design

Collaboration across teams

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

At Skyways, we are building the next generation of autonomous air transportation. Our fully autonomous unmanned aircraft systems move cargo faster and more efficiently than traditional logistics networks.

Backed by strong investor support and a $37M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we operate at the intersection of commercial logistics and national defense. Our aircraft are not just prototypes—we design, build, fly, and deploy them with real customers today.

Based in Austin and supported by investors including Y Combinator, Skyways combines rapid engineering iteration with real-world operations. As we scale toward larger deployments, we are looking for people who want to help build and operate the future of autonomous aviation.

The Opportunity

Skyways is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own major aircraft subsystems from concept through flight. You will design hardware, build and test prototypes, and iterate quickly based on real-world performance.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations, ensuring systems are both reliable in the air and practical to build at scale. We are looking for someone with strong technical judgement who is comfortable working hands‑on with hardware and moving quickly through design, build, and test cycles.

What You'll Do:

• Own mechanical subsystems from concept through build, testing, and flight validation
• Design structural and mechanical components for autonomous aircraft
• Develop prototypes and iterate designs based on ground testing and flight data
• Lead subsystem design reviews and drive system level integration across structures, avionics, propulsion, and payload systems
• Partner with manufacturing early in the design process to ensure systems are buildable and capable of scaling to production
• Help define design standards and engineering practices as the team grows

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Experience working on complex hardware systems such as aircraft, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
• Strong CAD and mechanical design experience
• Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, testing, and deployment
• Comfort working closely with prototype builds and resolving integration issues
• Strong collaboration skills across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams

Bonus Points:

• Experience designing aircraft structures or flight hardware
• Experience working with composite materials or lightweight structures
• Experience supporting prototype builds, system integration, or flight testing
• Experience working in startup or rapid hardware development environments

Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.