Associate Mechanical Engineer

Young Community Developers • Irvine, CA

22h • $86,000 - $105,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to design and develop airframe structures and mechanical assemblies for unmanned aircraft systems. The role involves creating robust, lightweight components, integrating subsystems within defined aircraft volumes, and supporting the full lifecycle from concept through build and test.

As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, the engineer will contribute to detailed mechanical design, component packaging, and production-ready documentation. The position requires close collaboration with manufacturing and test personnel to ensure designs are practical, efficient to build, and aligned with performance and reliability goals. It offers the opportunity to apply mechanical engineering fundamentals, hands-on problem solving, and design-for-manufacturing principles to develop high-quality hardware for prototype and production environments.

The position is on-site at 34 Parker in Irvine, California. It requires less than 10% travel and access to information and technology subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States full-time without current or future employment visa sponsorship. The position has no required clearance level.

Requirements

• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools for part and assembly design; SolidWorks is preferred.
• Experience generating mechanical drawings and documentation.
• Understanding of structural behavior, mechanical design principles, and lightweight component design.
• Familiarity with engineering drawing standards.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field from an accredited institution.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Internship experience as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace, robotics, or automotive industry.
• Familiarity with GD&T.
• Experience with DFM, DFA, or production-oriented mechanical design practices.
• Background working with composite or lightweight metallic structures.
• Hands-on experience supporting prototype hardware builds, mechanical integration, or test operations.
• Exposure to FEA tools or structural analysis workflows.
• Experience with unmanned aircraft, flight hardware, or other mission-critical mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop airframe structures, mechanical components, and assemblies for unmanned aircraft systems.
• Integrate mechanical, electrical, propulsion, and avionics subsystems within defined aircraft volumes.
• Create detailed CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings that meet quality and configuration standards.
• Apply mechanical engineering fundamentals to support sizing, basic structural assessment, tolerance considerations, and design trade studies.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to incorporate design-for-manufacturing principles and ensure efficient, repeatable builds.
• Support fabrication, assembly, ground testing, and flight testing through hands-on troubleshooting and issue resolution.
• Incorporate feedback from testing, integration, and production into iterative design improvements.
• Work effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and communicate technical status clearly.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Base dental, vision, life, accident, disability, and other core benefits fully covered by DZYNE.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan with employer match and immediate vesting.
• Eligible for an annual bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level