UAV Mechanical Engineer I: Hands-on Design & Prototyping

AeroVironment; Moorpark (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K matching

9/80 schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Mechanical Engineer I to join a design team developing next‑gen UAV systems. You will design structural and electro‑mechanical components, use CAD tools and simulations, and help with prototype hardware and manufacturing drawings.

Responsibilities include supporting design reviews, project planning, and collaboration with manufacturing and suppliers, while building competencies in lightweight robotic systems and thermodynamic constraints.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 0–2 years designing complex mechanical systems with hardware transition.
• Experience designing machined, composite, plastics, sheet metal, and assemblies.
• Hands-on building/prototyping for lightweight robotic systems.
• Experience with thermodynamic constraints in electro‑mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with ASME Y14 drawing practices and dimensional tolerancing.
• Proficient in SolidWorks and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Designs structural, electro‑mechanical, payload and thermal components.
• Develops CAD models, simulations, and rapid prototyping (3D printing).
• Produces manufacturing drawings and bills of materials per standards.
• Supports design reviews, planning, and interaction with manufacturing and suppliers.

Skills

Mechanical design experience

Prototype/building

ASME Y14 standards

SolidWorks proficiency

Thermal analysis

Electro-mechanical integration

Problem solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Simulation

ANSYS

EPDM

MS Office

Job description

AeroVironment is seeking a Mechanical Engineer I to join a design team developing next‑gen UAV systems. You will design structural and electro‑mechanical components, use CAD tools and simulations, and help with prototype hardware and manufacturing drawings.

Responsibilities include supporting design reviews, project planning, and collaboration with manufacturing and suppliers, while building competencies in lightweight robotic systems and thermodynamic constraints.