Structures Designer

Natilus; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan - Medical, Dental & V

Retirement Plan - 401(k) and Roth

Life Insurance - Voluntary & AD&D

Paid Time Off - Unlimited

Company Provided Snacks and Beverages

Stock Options

Onsite Gym Access

Job summary

Natilus is seeking a Structures Designer to join our San Diego, CA team. You will lead CAD efforts, design composite and metallic primary and secondary structures, manage models, and help set drafting standards while coordinating with manufacturing.

You will work across cross-functional groups, apply parametric CAD methods, and contribute to fast, build-friendly design for rapid prototype aircraft structures using NX, CATIA or SolidWorks.

Qualifications

• Experience leading CAD efforts for aerospace structures.
• Experience designing composite and metallic primary and secondary structures.
• Strong model management and drafting standards development.
• Coordination with manufacturing and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with parametric CAD modeling and joints design (bolted/bonded).
• Experience with rapid prototype aircraft structures and design-for-build.

Responsibilities

• Leading company CAD efforts
• Design and develop composite and metallic primary and secondary structures
• Model management
• Drafting standards development
• Coordinate with manufacturing
• CAD process development
• Communicate and collaborate with the engineering team and cross functional groups
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Structures designer or in a closely related role
• Strong foundational understanding of aircraft load paths and structural behavior
• Strong foundational understanding of parametric CAD model development and management
• Experience designing bolted and bonded joints
• Expert-level knowledge of composite structures, including detailed design and fabrication methods
• Proficiency with NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks
• Experience with rapid prototype aircraft structures from conceptual/design through build
• Hands-on experience with design-for-build manufacturing, determinate assembly, manufacturing planning, and tooling design

Skills

CAD leadership

Composite structures

Metallic structures

Model management

Drafting standards

Manufacturing coordination

CAD process development

Cross-functional collaboration

2+ years Structures designer

Aircraft load paths concepts

Parametric CAD modeling

Bolted & bonded joints

Composite structures fabrication

Rapid prototype aircraft experience

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About Us:

Natilus is building the next generation of aviation through the development ofblended-wing-body aircraft, delivering a step-change in overall efficiency. Our growing family of aircraft is designed to make air travel more sustainable while fundamentally improving the economics of commercial flight and the operational effectiveness of defense logistics.

By combining advanced aerodynamics with innovative design, Natilus aircraft achieveexceptional fuel efficiency, increased payload capacity, and seamless compatibility with existing airport infrastructure. With hundreds of aircraft valued in thebillions of dollarsalready on order, we are redefining how aircraft are designed, built, and operated, representing a meaningful evolution in modern aviation

Job Summary:

Natilus is seeking a Structures Designer to join our team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for CAD-based structural design, model management, drafting standards development, and coordination with manufacturing. You will work across composite and metallic structures while contributing to CAD process optimization to support efficient, high-quality model development

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading company CAD efforts


• Design and develop composite and metallic primary and secondary structures


• Model management


• Drafting standards development


• Coordinate with manufacturing


• CAD process development


• Communicate and collaborate closely with the engineering team and cross functional groups


• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Structures designer or in a closely related role


• Strong foundational understanding of aircraft load paths and structural behavior


• Strong foundational understanding of parametric CAD model development and management


• Experience designing bolted and bonded joints


• Expert-level knowledge of composite structures, including detailed design and fabrication methods


• Proficiency with NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks


• Experience with rapid prototype aircraft structures from conceptual and preliminary design through build


• Hands-on experience with design-for-build manufacturing, determinate assembly, manufacturing planning, and tooling design

Core Behaviors:

• Builds trust through ownership, transparency, and follow-through


• Communicates clearly, directly, and respectfully across teams


• Proven ability to lead by example and model expected behaviors


• Ability to give and receive direct, constructive feedback


• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with evolving priorities

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel and on-site work at the local hangar may be required

• Health Care Plan - Medical, Dental & Vision


• Retirement Plan - 401(k) and Roth option


• Life Insurance - Voluntary & AD&D


• Paid Time Off - Unlimited


• Company Provided Snacks and Beverages


• Stock Options


• Onsite Gym Access