Principal Aerospace Engineer

Principal Aerospace Engineer - Fixed-Wing UAS Design and ProductionFort Worth, Texas | On-siteOpportunity SummaryA venture-backed aerospace and defense startup developing advanced unmanned aircraft systems is seeking a Principal Aerospace Engineer to lead fixed-wing aircraft design efforts across development, flight validation, and production readiness activities. Backed by active government programs and early customer engagement, the company is focused on building scalable air vehicle platforms capable of rapid iteration, manufacturability, and operational deployment. This is a principal-level technical leadership role responsible for major air vehicle design decisions spanning conceptual development, aerodynamic configuration, structural integration, and production-aligned engineering execution. The engineer will help guide aircraft architecture from early concepts through prototype and production configurations while balancing performance, manufacturability, structural integrity, and mission requirements. The position is highly hands-on and ideal for someone experienced operating in fast-paced aerospace environments where engineering decisions directly influence flight capability, manufacturability, and long-term platform scalability.About UsWe are an early-stage aerospace and defense company building advanced unmanned aircraft systems for government and commercial applications. The team operates in a highly collaborative engineering environment focused on rapid aircraft development, scalable manufacturing, and mission-driven system performance. Engineers work closely across disciplines to bring production-capable aerospace platforms from concept through testing and operational deployment.Job DutiesLead fixed-wing aircraft design activities including air vehicle configuration, aerodynamic layout, structural integration, and mass properties developmentOwn major aircraft trade studies related to payload integration, endurance, range, manufacturability, and overall system performanceTranslate mission requirements into executable aircraft architectures and technical design baselinesSupport conceptual aircraft sizing studies, performance analysis, and configuration down-select activitiesLead or oversee structural design efforts including material selection, load paths, joint concepts, and primary airframe architectureCoordinate with analysis and manufacturing teams to ensure designs support scalable production and assembly efficiencyDrive design maturity from early prototype configurations through production-ready aircraft systemsSupport engineering release activities, configuration management, and production readiness reviewsWork closely with manufacturing, avionics, systems engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to resolve design and producibility issuesSupport ground and flight test planning, execution, and post-test design validation activitiesInvestigate test findings and implement corrective design improvements based on flight and hardware dataMentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teamsSupport future platform definition, proposal efforts, and long-term technical roadmap planningQualifications10+ years of aerospace engineering experience with direct fixed-wing aircraft or unmanned aircraft system experienceStrong background in aircraft configuration development, aerodynamic design, or aerospace structural designExperience owning major air vehicle design decisions from concept through prototype and production phasesFamiliarity with manufacturability-driven aerospace design and production-aligned engineering practicesExperience supporting rapid aerospace development and iterative hardware programsStrong first-principles engineering capability and technical decision-making judgmentBachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related technical disciplineAbility to travel to test sites, production facilities, and customer locations as neededStrong communication and cross-functional technical leadership skillsPreferred ExperienceMaster’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related fieldExperience with aluminum or composite aerospace structuresFamiliarity with aircraft loads development, structural validation, or airworthiness processesExperience supporting rapid flight test campaigns or operational aerospace programsExposure to design-to-cost initiatives and scalable aerospace manufacturing environmentsExperience supporting missionized aerospace platforms or government-funded development programsWhy Join UsOpportunity to help define next-generation unmanned aircraft systems from early development through productionPrincipal-level ownership with direct influence on aircraft architecture, performance, and manufacturabilityExposure to rapid aerospace development, flight testing, and scalable production environmentsCollaborative engineering culture centered around real hardware execution and technical problem solvingEarly-stage environment with significant technical ownership, visibility, and long-term growth opportunityCompensation Details$160,000 - $195,000