UAV Mechanical Engineer

Swift Engineering; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees

Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees

401k with company match

16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave

Job summary

An innovative aerospace technology firm located in California is seeking an experienced UAV Mechanical Engineer. This role involves designing mechanical structures and integrating UAV platforms. Applicants should have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and over five years of relevant experience, with a focus on structural components and mechanisms. Additional benefits include a competitive salary ranging from $130,000 to $150,000, medical insurance, and generous time off policies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of UAV-related experience or experience in aerospace or similar high-performance systems.
• Strong experience designing mechanisms and structural components.
• Familiarity with composite materials and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical structures and mechanisms for UAV platforms.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks.
• Support composite structure design, including material selection.

Skills

Hands-on design experience

Composite structures understanding

Collaborative work

Proficiency in SolidWorks

3D printing techniques

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree or Ph.D. in related field

Tools

SolidWorks

3D printing technologies

Job description

We are seeking an experienced UAV Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, and integration of unmanned aerial vehicle structures and mechanisms. This role focuses on mechanical design, structural components, and manufacturable solutions for advanced UAV platforms.

The ideal candidate has strong hands‑on design experience, a solid understanding of composite structures, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Salary: $130,000 to $150,000

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical structures and mechanisms for UAV platforms
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks
• Design airframe components, mounts, mechanisms, and structural assemblies
• Support composite structure design, including material selection and layup concepts
• Work closely with manufacturing to ensure design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA)
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, electrical, avionics, and systems engineering teams
• Support structural analysis, tolerance analysis, and design trade studies
• Assist with prototype builds, ground testing, and flight testing
• Perform troubleshooting and iterative design improvements based on test results
• Maintain mechanical documentation and configuration control

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on advanced UAV platforms
• Close collaboration with a small, high‑performance engineering team
• High‑impact role with direct contribution to flight hardware
• Dynamic and technically challenging work environment

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years of UAV‑related experience or experience in aerospace or similar high‑performance systems
• Strong experience designing mechanisms and structural components
• Familiar with 3‑D printing techniques
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for mechanical design and documentation
• Familiarity with composite materials and composite manufacturing processes
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast‑paced engineering environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience with composite airframes and lightweight structures
• Familiarity with UAV integration, ground testing, and flight test support
• Experience with aerospace materials, fasteners, and structural bonding techniques
• Knowledge of structural testing and validation methods

Working Conditions:

Primarily in an office environment, and shop environment. Periodic weekend or evening work is expected. Travel is expected.

Must be US Person per ITAR requirements due to our contracts.

Swift Engineering is an EOE.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

• 9/80 Schedule
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
• Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• 401k with company match
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.

About Swift Engineering

If you’re passionate about engineering, innovation and making a difference, we invite you to join the Swift Engineering family. Together, we are shaping the future of aerospace and creating technologies that will change the world.

The pay range for this role is:

130,000 - 150,000 USD per year (Swift Engineering)