Senior UAV Airframe Engineer | Structural & Flight Test Lead

Redwire Corporation; California; On-site; USD 160,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matching 401(k)

Paid PTO

Paid holidays

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disabilty

HSA and FSA Options

Critical Care Plan

Accident Care Plan

Job summary

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH in San Luis Obispo, CA is seeking an Airframe Lead responsible for the airframe architecture and mechanical integration of the aircraft. You will own the airframe baseline and ensure structural, mechanical, and manufacturability aspects are integrated from concept to flight test and production transition.

The role interfaces with systems, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and test teams, translating program requirements into a certifiable airframe solution while mentoring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 8–12+ years in airframe/structural/mechanical design for aircraft or UAS.
• Experience leading airframe/structural design on complex aerospace systems.
• Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX) and related workflows.

Responsibilities

• Serve as mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT and own airframe direction.
• Define and maintain airframe system architecture and structural design philosophy.
• Own airframe requirements flowdown, trade studies, and design margins.
• Act as technical authority for airframe design reviews, change control, and configuration decisions.
• Lead structural and mechanical design efforts including primary/secondary structures and interfaces.
• Ensure integration of propulsion, avionics, payloads, landing gear, and subsystems.
• Oversee composite and metallic structural designs and manufacturing methods.
• Guide structural analysis activities (loads, stress, fatigue) and align with design assumptions.
• Define structural test strategies and support ground/flight testing.

Skills

Leadership by influence

Systems thinking

Clear communication

Bias towards execution

Education

Bachelor's degree: Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

PLM tools

Job description

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH in San Luis Obispo, CA is seeking an Airframe Lead responsible for the airframe architecture and mechanical integration of the aircraft. You will own the airframe baseline and ensure structural, mechanical, and manufacturability aspects are integrated from concept to flight test and production transition.

The role interfaces with systems, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and test teams, translating program requirements into a certifiable airframe solution while mentoring