Mechanical & Structural Engineer

Mechanical & Structural Engineer - Own the vehicle hardware, structures, and integration behind a next-generation interceptorEl Segundo, California | On-siteOpportunity SummaryThis role will own the mechanical architecture and structural integrity of a next-generation interceptor platform, taking vehicle hardware from early sizing and CAD through analysis, prototype builds, environmental testing, integration, and flight. The work spans primary and secondary structures, outer mold line implementation, mechanisms, subsystem packaging, launcher hardware, and ground support equipment. You will operate as a hands-on responsible engineer for major portions of the vehicle, balancing structural performance, manufacturability, cost, and speed. This is a broad vehicle engineering role for someone comfortable moving between CAD, FEA, machining, vendor coordination, assembly, test, and cross-functional integration.About UsWe are a venture-backed defense technology company developing a new class of cost-effective interceptor systems designed for scalable production. The team is small, highly technical, and focused on moving quickly from design and prototype hardware into real-world test and flight demonstrations. Engineers work directly across propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test with significant ownership over vehicle-level decisions.Job DutiesOwn major mechanical and structural subsystems of the interceptor from concept through flightSupport overall vehicle sizing, structural architecture, and outer mold line implementationDesign primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, brackets, interfaces, and integrated assembliesDevelop and manage complex CAD models for the full vehicle and supporting hardwarePerform structural analysis including static, dynamic, vibration, shock, buckling, and other relevant flight load casesUse hand calculations, FEA, and physical testing to efficiently size and validate structuresAnalyze aerodynamic, launch, maneuver, thermal, and vibration environmentsDefine mechanical interfaces for propulsion, avionics, seekers, GNC, control actuation, and other vehicle subsystemsOwn packaging, routing, mounting, and structural integration across the vehicleSupport actuator and control-surface integration including hinges, cutouts, interfaces, and sealingDesign launcher hardware, handling fixtures, transport equipment, environmental enclosures, and other ground support systemsTake parts from CAD through prototyping, fabrication, inspection, assembly, and testSupport hands-on machining and rapid prototyping using internal or external manufacturing resourcesSelect materials, processes, joining methods, and manufacturing approaches with performance, cost, and producibility in mindWork directly with suppliers, machine shops, and manufacturing partners to procure and troubleshoot hardwareLead or support vehicle integration, environmental testing, ground testing, and flight test campaignsAnalyze test data, investigate anomalies, and incorporate findings into subsequent design iterationsProduce and review detailed engineering drawings using GD&T and appropriate aerospace practicesMake practical design decisions that balance technical requirements with unit cost and production scalabilityQualificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline5+ years of hands-on mechanical or structural design experience with aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or similarly demanding hardwareStrong CAD proficiency with experience managing complex assembliesStrong structural intuition and understanding of how to select between hand calculations, FEA, and physical testingExperience with static, dynamic, vibration, or other structural analysis methodsExperience designing hardware for high-load or mission-critical environmentsStrong understanding of metallic or composite structures, materials, and manufacturing processesExperience taking hardware from detailed design through fabrication, assembly, and testProficiency with GD&T and tolerance analysisStrong understanding of design for manufacturability and producibilityHands-on fabrication, machining, or shop-floor experienceAbility to work effectively across aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test teamsU.S. Person status requiredPreferred ExperienceExperience with missile, interceptor, rocket, UAV, launch vehicle, or other high-speed aerospace systemsExperience with outer mold line design and aerodynamic packaging constraintsExperience with launcher, canister, rail, or launch-tube hardwareExperience designing ground support equipment and vehicle handling systemsExperience with separation systems, control surfaces, actuators, or precision mechanismsExperience integrating propulsion cases, nozzles, avionics trays, harnesses, or seeker hardwareFamiliarity with NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAD and PDM systemsExperience with composite structures and manufacturingFamiliarity with MIL-STD environmental, thermal, vibration, or shock testingExperience designing and building structural test fixtures or test rigsExperience managing external vendors, suppliers, and machine shopsBackground in motorsports, automotive, robotics, eVTOL, high-power rocketry, or another hands-on engineering environmentExperience in a startup or rapid hardware development environmentWhy Join UsOwn major portions of a flight vehicle from clean-sheet design through real-world testingWork across structures, mechanisms, vehicle integration, launcher hardware, and ground support equipmentOperate as a true hardware generalist rather than being limited to a narrow subsystemWork directly alongside propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test engineersBuild hardware with both performance and scalable production in mindTake designs from CAD to the shop floor, test environment, and flightJoin a small technical team where individual engineers have significant ownership and influenceCompensation Details$120,000 - $180,000