Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer

Colonial Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group seeks a Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer to support aircraft configuration development and vehicle integration. You will develop 3D CAD layouts for integration, support packaging studies, and coordinate with Flight Sciences for design reviews.

Requirements include a bachelor’s in aerospace/mechanical engineering and 5+ years of experience with CATIA v6 and aircraft layouts. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering is required.
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in aircraft layouts or vehicle integration.
• Experience developing layouts, CAD models, or installation studies.
• Experience with CATIA v6 or similar 3D CAD software is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 3D CAD layouts for aircraft level integration, including major system interfaces.
• Prepare CAD-based layouts, drawings, sections, and visual materials for reviews.
• Review geometry and packaging to identify risks and inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with Flight Sciences and other groups to support design reviews and studies.

Skills

CAD modeling

Vehicle integration

Analytical problem solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Layout optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

CATIA v6

Job description

What we do:

The Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer supports aircraft configuration development, vehicle layout, packaging, and structural design integration for advanced air vehicle concepts. This role develops and maintains 3D CAD models, aircraft layouts, installation concepts, and design integration studies to support aircraft level trade studies, design reviews, and development planning. The engineer also supports CAD based structural layout activities for composite and lightweight aircraft components, including laminate region definition, local reinforcement concepts, and integration of structural design inputs into vehicle layout models. This role is part of the Flight Sciences team and collaborates regularly with the other groups in Supernal.

What you can do:

• Aircraft Layout and Configuration Integration
  • Develop and maintain aircraft layout models to support vehicle configuration studies, design reviews, and engineering coordination.
  • Create 3D CAD layouts for aircraft level integration, including lifting surfaces, rotor systems, fuselage, landing gear, propulsion components, and major system interfaces.
  • Support packaging studies to evaluate component placement, clearances, accessibility, maintainability, mass properties, and integration constraints.
  • Incorporate engineering inputs from multiple groups into aircraft layout models and configuration studies.
• CAD Modeling and Design Documentation
  • Develop, update, and manage 3D CAD models and assemblies for air vehicle concepts, installation studies, and integration reviews.
  • Prepare CAD based layouts, drawings, sections, and visual materials to support technical reviews and program decisions.
  • Maintain consistency between CAD models, interface assumptions, configuration data, and engineering documentation.
  • Use CATIA or similar 3D CAD tools to support aircraft layout and vehicle integration activities.
• Design Review and Engineering Coordination
  • Review CAD geometry, layout assumptions, interface constraints, and packaging risks to support aircraft level design decisions.
  • Identify integration issues related to clearances, accessibility, maintainability, installation, and interface compatibility.
  • Support multidisciplinary design reviews by preparing CAD views, layout sections, interface checks, and technical findings.
  • Document design assumptions, open items, risks, and recommended actions for engineering reviews.
• General
  • Travel up to approximately 25% domestically and internationally to support simulation events, design reviews, test activities, and program milestones.
  • Perform additional duties assigned in support of the Flight Controls, Simulation, and Flight Sciences organizations.

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a relevant engineering field required.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience developing aircraft layouts, 3D CAD models, component installations, or vehicle integration studies.
• Experience with CATIA v6 or similar 3D CAD software required.
• Experience with aircraft configuration design, rotorcraft, eVTOL, vertical lift aircraft, or advanced air vehicle development preferred.
• Experience with composite structures, lightweight structures, laminate layout, or structural design integration preferred.
• Experience supporting aircraft design reviews, layout reviews, interface checks, or configuration trade studies preferred.
• Experience working with structural, aerodynamic, propulsion, systems, or manufacturing teams to support integrated vehicle design preferred.
• Experience with preliminary weight, mass properties, packaging, or maintainability considerations preferred.
• Strong understanding of aircraft layout, CAD modeling, and vehicle integration fundamentals.
• Ability to develop and manage complex 3D CAD assemblies for aircraft level layouts and component integration.
• General understanding of aircraft structures, composite components, and manufacturing constraints as they affect CAD layout and integration.
• Ability to evaluate packaging constraints, interface issues, clearances, and design integration risks.
• Ability to translate engineering inputs into CAD geometry, layout studies, and reviewable design data.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate design assumptions, layout risks, and technical findings clearly.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints.