Senior Aero / Mechanical Engineer Lead

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware / aero effort at Skyways: design, development, and testing of all hardware systems, including flight control systems, navigation systems, propulsion systems, sensor systems, cargo systems, GCS, GSE, and communication systems.
• Oversee the selection, specification, and qualification of hardware components, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Create and manage comprehensive hardware development plans and schedules, ensuring the timely delivery of projects.
• Direct and mentor a team of junior to senior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high-performance.
• Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments for new hardware designs, providing recommendations based on technical and financial considerations.
• Collaborate closely with software engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure that hardware designs meet all technical and operational requirements.
• Drive the creation of prototypes and oversee rigorous testing, ensuring products meet company's objectives.
• Take ownership of the overall performance and reliability of the company's product, including during post-launch operations.
• Support the resolution of hardware-related issues in a timely and effective manner, troubleshooting problems and driving improvements.
• Actively participate in design reviews, providing critical feedback and approval for hardware designs and modifications.
• Contribute individually to hardware design and problem-solving when necessary, demonstrating a hands-on approach.
• Exhibit a strong sense of ownership, taking responsibility for the outcomes of the engineering team and being accountable for their successes and setbacks.
• Foster a culture of integrity, promoting transparency, and honesty in all interactions within the team and with other stakeholders.
• Proactively anticipate and address potential issues, demonstrating foresight, and quick problem-solving.
• Maintain ambitious goals for yourself and your team, continuously raising the bar for what is possible.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a relevant environment (aerospace industry preferred)
• degree in mechanical, or aerospace engineering
• multi-year experience leading teams
• excellent communication skills across the entire org
• extensive experience with CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• extensive experience with FEA (Ansys, Nastran)
• in-depth understanding of mechanical engineering discipline as it relates to design and analysis
• well-versed in the manufacturing processes/techniques used in the aerospace industry
• experience working with outside vendors for manufacturing
• familiar with technical drawings and GD&T
• you want to work at a small early stage startup
• you want to wear many hats
• self starter and resilient: take a project from start to finish despite vague or little requirements

Pluses

• you are a maker and doer! show us your projects!
• experience in the aero/aviation field
• experience with hands-on manufacturing (CAM, CNC, mill, lathe, composite layup, mold making) and shop tools
• experience with 3D printing
• experience flying planes and/or large drones
• design and analysis of composite structures