Senior Mechanical Engineer

Socket.dev; Bingen (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Heven AeroTech in Bingen, WA is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design, testing, and integration of mechanical systems for unmanned aerial platforms.

The role emphasizes airframe design, structural analysis, manufacturability, and collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and programs; mentoring and technical leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; Master’s degree desirable.
• 5–10 years in mechanical engineering, preferably UAV, aerospace, defense, or complex hardware environments.
• Deep expertise in mechanical design, structural analysis, and system integration. Proficient in CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo).
• Ability to lead complex subsystem development and solve advanced technical challenges with sound judgment.
• Understand how design decisions impact full system performance, manufacturability, and lifecycle reliability.
• Works across disciplines, values diverse perspectives, and builds strong working relationships.
• Strong work ethic, ownership, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Invests in developing others, shares knowledge, and elevates team performance.
• Clear, effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• 8+ years of aerospace or UAV mechanical engineering experience
• Hands-on experience building, prototyping, testing complex systems
• Advanced CAD/CAE and structural analysis expertise
• Experience leading subsystem design and production transition
• Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical leadership
• Familiarity with certification, regulatory, or defense standards
• Customer or supplier-facing technical experience

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and integration of new functional payloads and designs while assessing complex airframe structures, subsystems, and tooling across analysis, design, prototype and production stages.
• Architect workflows, technical drawings, and analyses that ensure manufacturability, performance, and long-term reliability.
• Provide technical direction during design reviews and guide less experienced engineers in best practices.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and initiative by proactively identifying design improvements and new approaches.
• Define validation strategies, oversee execution of structural and system-level tests, and interpret results to guide design refinements.
• Provide technical leadership in readiness reviews and resolve cross-disciplinary issues.
• Apply strong engineering judgment and structured problem-solving to complex technical challenges.
• Partner with cross-functional leads in engineering, manufacturing, and programs to drive alignment.
• Lead initiatives to improve processes, tools, and documentation that strengthen product quality and efficiency.
• Influence decision-making through clear, data-driven technical guidance.
• Approach collaboration with respect, openness to feedback, and a team-first mindset.
• Mentor early-career engineers and technicians, fostering growth and sharing best practices.
• Represent mechanical engineering in program reviews and contribute to technical direction.
• Take ownership of complex problems and drive them to resolution with accountability and follow-through.
• Model professionalism, humility, and a commitment to team success over individual recognition.

Skills

Aerospace design

Structural analysis

CAD tools

Systems integration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree desirable

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Creo

Job description

Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer Company: Heven AeroTech Location: Bingen, WA (On-Site) FLSA: Exempt

About Our Company: At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary: The Mechanical Engineer is a highly skilled engineer with deep expertise in mechanical engineering and a strong understanding of airframe design, structural analysis, and system integration. Responsibilities include delivering complex engineering solutions in the design, testing, and integration of mechanical systems for unmanned aerial platforms.

This role leads subsystem development and contributes to integrating payload capabilities with the refinement of airframe assemblies, tooling, and structural components across prototype and production stages. Delivers high-quality technical work with attention to manufacturability, performance, and readiness. We are seeking engineers who are hungry, humble, and smart individuals who take initiative, continuously seek to improve, collaborate effectively, and apply sound engineering judgment to solve complex problems. This role collaborates cross-functionally to solve challenging problems, supports engineering excellence through mentorship, and may influence project direction through informal technical leadership or interaction with customers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development and integration of new functional payloads and designs while assessing complex airframe structures, subsystems, and tooling across analysis, design, prototype and production stages.
• Architect workflows, technical drawings, and analyses that ensure manufacturability, performance, and long-term reliability.
• Provide technical direction during design reviews and guide less experienced engineers in best practices.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and initiative by proactively identifying design improvements and new approaches. (Hungry)
• Define validation strategies, oversee execution of structural and system-level tests, and interpret results to guide design refinements.
• Provide technical leadership in readiness reviews and resolve cross-disciplinary issues.
• Apply strong engineering judgment and structured problem-solving to complex technical challenges. (Smart)
• Partner with cross-functional leads in engineering, manufacturing, and programs to drive alignment.
• Lead initiatives to improve processes, tools, and documentation that strengthen product quality and efficiency.
• Influence decision-making through clear, data-driven technical guidance.
• Approach collaboration with respect, openness to feedback, and a team-first mindset. (Humble)
• Mentor early-career engineers and technicians, fostering growth and sharing best practices.
• Represent mechanical engineering in program reviews and contribute to technical direction.
• Take ownership of complex problems and drive them to resolution with accountability and follow-through. (Hungry & Smart)
• Model professionalism, humility, and a commitment to team success over individual recognition. (Humble)

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; Master’s degree desirable.
• Experience: 5–10 years in mechanical engineering, preferably in UAV, aerospace, defense, or complex hardware environments.
• Deep expertise in mechanical design, structural analysis, and system integration. Proficient in CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex subsystem development and solve advanced technical challenges with sound judgment. (Smart)
• Understands how design decisions impact full system performance, manufacturability, and lifecycle reliability.
• Works effectively across disciplines, values diverse perspectives, and builds strong working relationships. (Humble)
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, takes ownership of outcomes, and continuously seeks opportunities to improve products and processes. (Hungry)
• Invests in developing others, shares knowledge openly, and elevates team performance. (Humble)
• Communicates clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred:

• 8+ years of aerospace or UAV mechanical engineering experience
• Hands-on experience building, prototyping, and testing complex systems
• Advanced CAD/CAE and structural analysis expertise
• Experience leading subsystem design and production transition
• Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical leadership
• Familiarity with certification, regulatory, or defense standards
• Customer or supplier-facing technical experience

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in office, lab, manufacturing, and test environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, and support hands-on build and integration activities.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25–40 lbs as needed.
• Ability to perform extended computer-based work (CAD, analysis, documentation).
• Ability to travel occasionally for testing, supplier visits, or program support.

Benefits Overview: Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.