Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer

Canopy A&D•Cape Canaveral, FL

3d•$80,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position leads the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced mechanical components and assemblies for Hera Technologies’ thermal protection systems (TPS). The engineer works hands-on with TPS soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes, supporting the full lifecycle from concept and design through prototyping, manufacturing, and production. The role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, performance optimization, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards. The position is based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and follows a 9/80 schedule, with business hours listed as 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional hours or weekends may be needed based on business demands. Travel is up to 10%. The salary range is $80,000 to $140,000. Actual level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The role works in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations. It requires occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, and adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols. The position is classified as salary exempt.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.
At least 4 years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience, with emphasis on metals, composites, and thermal protection systems.
Proven leadership in engineering projects involving the design, prototyping, and production of mechanical systems, including soft goods and polymer-based components.
Hands-on experience with advanced materials and mechanical components in aerospace or defense applications, including thermal protection systems and engineered surface finishes.
Strong understanding of elastomer and composite manufacturing processes, material properties, and relevant aerospace testing standards.
Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, with the ability to produce production-ready engineering drawings.
Sound foundation in engineering principles, including structures, materials science, thermal management, and mechanical system design.
Skill in prototyping and fabrication techniques such as machining, composite layups, bonding, and mechanical assembly.
Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
Visual acuity to read technical drawings, inspect components, and operate precision instruments.
Ability to travel occasionally to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, and follow company and OSHA safety protocols.
Must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in SolidWorks or similar CAD/CAM tools and experience using PLM systems to manage design and production workflows.
Strong knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and demonstrated ability to apply tolerancing principles in aerospace-grade engineering drawings.
Advanced design experience across CNC machining, composites, ceramics, sheet metal, and injection molding, including tooling and mold development for high-performance applications.
Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills in cross-functional engineering environments, including collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and program teams.
Familiarity with qualification campaigns for aerospace and defense hardware, including ruggedized systems and thermal protection system components.
Experience designing for harsh environments to ensure durability, thermal resilience, and mechanical integrity under extreme conditions.
Active U.S. security clearance at Secret level or higher, or ability to obtain one based on eligibility.
Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies for thermal protection systems, including soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement scalable manufacturing and assembly processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards.
Create and maintain process documentation and controls to support consistent production outcomes and optimize throughput across design, prototyping, and manufacturing phases.
Use traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques for metals, composites, and other materials used in thermal protection systems and critical aerospace structures, ensuring performance, durability, and production scalability.
Prototype and test advanced materials, including carbon fiber composites, high-temperature elastomers, and reinforced fabrics, and iterate based on performance data and failure analysis.
Investigate material failures, process anomalies, and manufacturing defects; lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions in development and production.
Create manufacturing and build plans and procedures for customer products and assemblies in accordance with industry standards or customer-provided specifications.