{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"cc687f6870e027a3fd850ef3","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/cc687f6870e027a3fd850ef3","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/cc687f6870e027a3fd850ef3","title":"Founding Aerospace Engineer","description":"About AetherAether is building low-cost, mass-producible cruise missiles for one of the most challenging and complex missions in modern warfare. The US is investing billions in cheap, attritable munitions, and we're building a capability the current systems can't deliver affordably.The RoleWe're looking for a founding aerospace engineer to own the airframe end to end: design it, build it, and fly it. You'll take our platform from prototype to a producible design, and shape the technical direction of the company as one of its first team members. This is a hands-on building role, not a simulation or paperwork role.What You'll DoDesign and build the airframe, aerostructures, and flight systems for a jet-powered, expendable cruise missileTake designs from CAD to flying hardware, quickly and iterativelyOwn propulsion integration, control surfaces, aerodynamics, and flight testingEstablish the path from prototype to a low-cost, manufacturable production designHelp shape early technical and hiring decisions as a founding team memberWhat We're Looking ForExperience designing and building UAVs, missiles, or aircraft, with real hands-on hardware workStrong grasp of aerostructures, propulsion integration, and flight dynamicsComfort with speed, ambiguity, and owning a domain end to endExcitement to build defense hardware that matters for national securityBS or MS in aerospace or mechanical engineeringNice to HaveTurbojet or small-propulsion experienceComposites and rapid fabrication skillsFlight-test or RC/UAV piloting backgroundPrior early-stage or founding experienceDetailsFounding role with significant equityCompetitive salary beginning on close of our raise (Q1 2027)On-site, San Francisco, CAMust be a U.S. person as defined under ITAR (22 CFR 120.62)Reach out: will@aetherdefensetechnology.com -  tell us something you've built and flown.","company":"Aether","rawCompany":"aether","city":"Millbrae","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-10-18T09:05:02.930Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"},{"code":"17-2141.00","title":"Mechanical Engineers","slug":"mechanical-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336411","title":"Aircraft Manufacturing","slug":"aircraft-manufacturing"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336419","title":"Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing","slug":"other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-parts-and-auxiliary-equipment-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Founding Aerospace Engineer","description":"About AetherAether is building low-cost, mass-producible cruise missiles for one of the most challenging and complex missions in modern warfare. The US is investing billions in cheap, attritable munitions, and we're building a capability the current systems can't deliver affordably.The RoleWe're looking for a founding aerospace engineer to own the airframe end to end: design it, build it, and fly it. You'll take our platform from prototype to a producible design, and shape the technical direction of the company as one of its first team members. This is a hands-on building role, not a simulation or paperwork role.What You'll DoDesign and build the airframe, aerostructures, and flight systems for a jet-powered, expendable cruise missileTake designs from CAD to flying hardware, quickly and iterativelyOwn propulsion integration, control surfaces, aerodynamics, and flight testingEstablish the path from prototype to a low-cost, manufacturable production designHelp shape early technical and hiring decisions as a founding team memberWhat We're Looking ForExperience designing and building UAVs, missiles, or aircraft, with real hands-on hardware workStrong grasp of aerostructures, propulsion integration, and flight dynamicsComfort with speed, ambiguity, and owning a domain end to endExcitement to build defense hardware that matters for national securityBS or MS in aerospace or mechanical engineeringNice to HaveTurbojet or small-propulsion experienceComposites and rapid fabrication skillsFlight-test or RC/UAV piloting backgroundPrior early-stage or founding experienceDetailsFounding role with significant equityCompetitive salary beginning on close of our raise (Q1 2027)On-site, San Francisco, CAMust be a U.S. person as defined under ITAR (22 CFR 120.62)Reach out: will@aetherdefensetechnology.com -  tell us something you've built and flown.","datePosted":"2026-10-18T09:05:02.930Z","dateModified":"2026-10-18T09:05:02.930Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Aether","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Millbrae","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"cc687f6870e027a3fd850ef3"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/cc687f6870e027a3fd850ef3"}}