Job details

AeroMechanical Engineer, Sr. Staff

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

For over 50 years, AeroVironment has been a leader in advanced technologies and diverse innovations that have redefined how the world drives, flies, and connects.

If you thrive on a culture of relentless problem-solving and invention and want to work for a global front-runner where you tackle real-world challenges, then AeroVironment is the place for you.

Come join our group of innovative thinkers and discover how collaborative efforts produce extraordinary products that touch lives around the world. You can be a part of the team that developed these firsts: a controlled human-powered aircraft, the modern consumer electric car, a tiny hummingbird-like drone and a helicopter that flew on Mars. We also set flight records in near-space with our solar-powered aircraft, and we re-shaped the battlefield with portable, hand-held, tactical drones and loitering munitions. We have cemented our reputation around the world and in record books as unrivaled technological pioneers, including seven innovative vehicles in the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

While engineering for the future is what we do, we are ever-mindful of our strong commitment to purpose — to secure lives and advance sustainability through transformative innovation. The products and solutions we provide our customers help to save lives and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Join us to help push beyond the realm of the possible with such future-defining technologies as robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity to generate ever-more meaningful actionable intelligence for our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

Summary

The Sr. Staff Aeromechanical Design Engineer is a key member of an air vehicle IPT team of small UAV systems for both mil.y and commercial applications. Within this position, one's primary duties are focused on:

Leads an engineering team in the design and development of UAS products and subsystems
Performs all aspects of vehicle design from initial concept to complete production-ready design
Resolution of design challenges and coordination with multidisciplinary engineering groups
Builds and tests prototype systems in order to validate designs
Conducts informal and formal presentations
Uses scientific and engineering principals to assess deficiencies in any given design and the impact of potential changes
Makes complex decisions to meet stated and derived requirements
Responsible for completing assigned tasks within project schedule and budget
Provides guidance and mentorship to others in both their discipline and on company values
Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
Minimum of 12 - 15 years' experience in a progressive technical capacity within an engineering organization
Demonstrated competence in Mechanical Engineering processes and design/analysis tools, solving Mechanics & Kinematics problems, solving Thermodynamics problems
Experienced in successfully designing mil.y electronics products
Demonstrated understanding of metallic, plastic and composite material properties
Demonstrated ability to solve basic structural dynamics problems
Proficiency in SolidWorks, Excel, Word and PowerPoint is required
Demonstrated understanding of industry design and documentation standards (GD&T, ASME, Change Control, etc.)
Experienced with designing: machined parts, composite parts, injection molded parts, sheet metal parts, wire assemblies and mechanical assemblies for low, medium and high volume manufacturing processes
Experienced with: mechanical, lab, field, flight, and environmental testing
Demonstrated understanding of engineering configuration management processes
Demonstrated ability to work with high-level program requirements, organize, schedule and delegate tasks to an engineering team
Demonstrated leadership experience

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

Advanced degree is preferred
Experience with SolidWorks EPDM, Agile PLM, and MATLAB a plus is preferred
Possesses the creativity and interest to invent and improve vehicle systems
Hands-on experience with metal and composite fabrication and 3D printing is highly desirable
Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills and able to communicate effectively with the intended audience
Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and able to work well with others across disciplines
Demonstrates effective presentation skills for formal reviews both internally and externally
Demonstrated familiarity with UAVs and related engineering design processes highly desirable
Demonstrated familiarity with electro-mechanical/mechanism design, aerodynamics, “data engineering” (instrumentation/data acquisition/data analysis) would be a considerable advantage
Knowledge and experience of analytical techniques and tools for FEA, Thermal, Aerodynamics, would be an advantage
Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others and the company

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

The salary range for this role is:

$146,400 - $219,600

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits

We also encourage you to review our company website at

http://www.avinc.com

to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

AeroVironment Incorporated is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V and works in compliance with both federal and state laws. We are committed to the concept regarding Equal Employment opportunity. Qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition nor disability, genetics, veteran and all others that may apply.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

AeroVironment Glassdoor Company Review

3.5