Senior Engineer, Mechanical Systems Design

The Senior Engineer in Mechanical Systems Design at Otto Aviation is responsible for defining flight control system requirements, leading the design and integration processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This includes overseeing supplier selection, conducting trade studies, and generating safety analyses and engineering documentation throughout every phase of development.

Candidates for the Senior Engineer, Mechanical Systems Design position at Otto Aviation must have at least a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, along with 8+ years of experience in designing reversible primary flight controls and 4+ years in electro-mechanically actuated secondary flight controls. Familiarity with regulations such as FAR Part 23 and 25, and standards like RTCA D-160G and DO-254 is essential.

At Otto Aviation, collaboration is key to our success. The Senior Engineer in Mechanical Systems Design will coordinate with cross-functional teams to define and validate flight control interfaces with adjacent systems. You'll also mentor junior engineers, fostering an environment of teamwork and shared goals that drive innovative solutions.

The design development process for the Senior Engineer at Otto Aviation involves leading the conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases of the flight control system. You'll coordinate the creation and approval of engineering documentation while overseeing extensive functional testing to validate the design against performance and safety requirements.

Essential skills for success as a Senior Engineer, Mechanical Systems Design at Otto Aviation include advanced problem-solving capabilities, critical thinking, and strong organizational skills. A deep understanding of mechanical systems, coupled with proficiency in CAD tools like Dassault 3DX and CATIA V6, will greatly enhance your effectiveness in this innovative environment.

When answering this question, be specific about your hands-on experience with designing primary and secondary flight control systems. Share examples that highlight your work in compliance with FAR regulations, as well as any innovative solutions you've developed during projects.

Discuss your philosophy on mentorship, emphasizing the importance of providing guidance and support while encouraging independence. Share specific methods you use, such as regular check-ins or establishing collaborative project goals.

Detail your experience conducting trade studies, explaining the criteria you used to evaluate different designs and how this influenced decision-making. Highlight any tools or methodologies you applied to achieve comprehensive analyses.

Explain your systematic approach for ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, such as thorough reviews of certification standards and checks throughout the design process. Mention your experience with creating compliance documentation and interfacing with certification authorities.

Provide a narrative that illustrates the challenges faced during the project. Describe the actions you took to address these challenges and the positive outcomes, especially what you learned and how it made you a better engineer.

Discuss how you establish clear expectations with suppliers and maintain open channels of communication. Provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated with suppliers to enhance project outcomes through constructive feedback and joint problem-solving.

Specify your proficiency in industry-standard software like Dassault 3DX and CATIA V6. Share specific instances where you utilized these tools for designing or analyzing flight control systems and how this contributed to project success.

Outline techniques you use for task prioritization, such as creating detailed schedules, using project management tools, or setting clear deadlines. Emphasize how efficient prioritization has enabled you to meet project deadlines successfully.

Discuss your commitment to safety by detailing the processes you implement to identify risks early in the design phase. Explain how you ensure that safety analyses and testing protocols align with best practices and regulatory requirements.

Express your excitement about Otto Aviation's mission to innovate in the aviation industry. Emphasize your interest in sustainable technology and how your skills uniquely align with both the role and the company's vision.