Mechanical Engineer - Powertrain

Grid Aero • San Leandro, CA

11d • $120,000 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer - Powertrain to join our team and support the development of powertrain systems for our family of autonomous cargo aircraft. This role is critical to the success of our current and future programs and will have significant ownership over powertrain architecture, integration, and testing.

As a key contributor on a small, highly technical team, you’ll work closely with experienced aerospace founders and engineers to design, build, and validate reliable aircraft powertrain systems. You’ll have hands-on involvement across the full lifecycle—from concept and analysis through ground and flight test—while helping establish engineering best practices as the company grows.

If you’re excited about solving hard problems, working close to real hardware, and shaping a system that directly enables flight, this role is for you.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. A Master's degree is a plus
• 4-7 years of experience in aerospace mechanical engineering, preferably with exposure to designing, building, testing, certifying, and/or operating internal diesel combustion engines, and/or powertrain systems
• Proficiency with CAD/PLM software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, 3DExperience, or similar) for designing and maintaining mechanical parts, assemblies, and installations
• Proficiency with mechanical engineering principles including statics and dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, tribology, controls, reliability, and manufacturing
• Experience with classical and advanced methods for mechanical, thermal, and fluid analysis
• Knowledge of conventional and advanced materials, processes, and hardware
• Knowledge of domestic and military certification processes
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to occasionally travel to supplier sites, manufacturing facilities, or testing locations as required.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop aircraft powertrain systems, including gearboxes, mounts, cooling, lubrication, intake/exhaust, accessories, and controls.
• Work cooperatively with an incredibly talented and kind team of systems, aerodynamic, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to identify, simplify, and solve complex problems.
• Generate practical, lightweight, and reliable designs for powertrain systems. Using first-principle and advanced engineering analysis methods as required, you will evaluate system performance.
• Specify, source, procure, fabricate, assemble, and integrate powertrain systems.
• Define, set up, execute, and report ground and flight tests to ensure designs meet functional, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Document and communicate your engineering with models, technical drawings, design reviews, and reports.
• Support powertrain systems through production and into flight test to ensure the aircraft remains operationally available and continuously provides valuable mechanical engineering data.
• Generate and maintain standard operating procedures for mechanical engineering across the product lifecycle.

Benefits

• Mission First: Tackle some of the most important national security issues of the day.
• Ownership: Receive a significant equity stake and help build the future of Grid.aero.
• Impact: As one of our first hires, you’ll have a direct and visible impact on the success of the company.
• Innovation: Lead the architecture of a game-changing product that will redefine the air logistics industry.
• Growth: Work alongside experienced aerospace founders and grow with the company as a key technical leader.
• Flexibility: We offer a remote-balanced culture, giving you freedom to excel personally and professionally.

What This Job Offers

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