Lead Structures Design Engineer

CrosslinkedJobs/Composites/Lead Structures Design EngineerSALead Structures Design EngineerSwarm Aero Oxnard, CAApplySeniority SeniorWork On-siteType Full-timeDegree BSExperience 8+ yrsIndustry DefenseRole R&D / ResearchClearance Ability to obtainMaterialscompositesprepregcore materialsTechniquesCATIANXSolidWorksBenefitsEquityDaily catered lunchWellness stipendRole detailsSwarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30\+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.About This RoleWe are looking for a lead engineer to own the largest structures on the aircraft. This is the person responsible for major airframe sections: wing, fuselage, and empennage. You will set the design approach for large composite primary structure, make the calls on architecture and joints, and lead other structures engineers to first flight.This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You will spend most of your time designing and reviewing structure, not managing. You will also be the senior voice in trades between weight, cost, schedule, and producibility on parts that are measured in meters, not inches.What You Will DoOwn the design of major airframe structure: wing box, fuselage sections, empennage, and large bonded assembliesDefine the structural architecture for large composite parts, including laminate strategy, core usage, joint philosophy, and load pathsLead and mentor a team of structures design engineers, setting standards for models, drawings, and design reviewsDrive trades on part count, tooling approach, and assembly sequence with manufacturing and program leadershipSolve the problems unique to big parts: dimensional control over large spans, thermal growth in cure, handling and fixturing, and transport constraintsWork daily with stress, M&P, and composites manufacturing to close margins and keep the build movingOwn design maturity through PDR, CDR, first article, structural test, and first flightWhat We Look ForBS or MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field8\+ years designing aircraft structure, with direct ownership of large composite primary structure such as wings, wing boxes, fuselage barrels or panels, or empennageDeep knowledge of composite design and manufacturing at scale: laminate design, large tool design implications, cure behavior, bonded and bolted jointsExperience leading engineers through a full development cycle, from concept through structural test or flightProficiency in CAD (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) and strong GD&T, including datum strategies for large assembliesHands-on mindset. You have stood next to your parts on the shop floor and changed the design because of what you sawBias toward speed. You make decisions with incomplete data and iterateAbility to work onsite in Oxnard, CANice to haveExperience on a clean-sheet aircraft development programFamiliarity with prepreg, infusion, or out-of-autoclave processes for large partsExperience with FEA tools (Nastran, Abaqus, HyperMesh) or close partnership with stress teamsExperience taking large structure through static and fatigue testStartup or small-team experience where you owned major program scopeITAR requirementTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.What We OfferMeaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology companyCompetitive base salary commensurate with experienceMedical, dental, vision, and 401kPTO and paid sick leaveMonthly wellness stipendDaily catered lunch (office)Paid parental leaveDirect impact on a critical national security missionA world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problemsConnectedAll roles at Swarm AeroMore R&D / Research rolesRoles using CATIAComposites rolesRelated rolesDR Product EngineerDRiV Maryland Heights, MO LE Branch Manager - Materials and ProcessLeidos Huntsville, AL $131k – $237kME Senior Packaging EngineerMETMAG Marlborough, MA $140k – $170kTE Internship, Materials Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)Tesla Fremont, CA $42k – $104kWC Senior Composite Manufacturing Engineer – Production & ToolingWolf Composite Solutions Columbus, OH