Level 3 Mechanical Engineer – UAS Launch System Production Engineering

Purple Rhombus•Fort Worth, TX

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Purple Rhombus is seeking a Level 3 Mechanical Engineer to transition a prototype unmanned aircraft launch system into a reliable, repeatable, and manufacturable production product. The engineer will own detailed mechanical design improvements, production documentation, supplier coordination, and assembly validation under senior engineering leadership. The role involves hands-on work with prototype hardware and turning one-off solutions into repeatable manufacturing processes. Experience with powered machinery, electromechanical equipment, launch equipment, or low-volume production is preferred. The position is based in Fort Worth, Texas, is full-time and exempt, and reports to the Chief Engineer. Travel to vendors, test locations, and other Purple Rhombus facilities is required, approximately 15% per year. The annual salary range is $115,000–$140,000, plus equity.

Requirements

Three or more years of mechanical engineering, product development, manufacturing engineering, or related experience.
Proficiency in 3D CAD and creation of production drawings with appropriate dimensions and tolerances.
Experience designing mechanical assemblies and selecting materials, fasteners, bearings, and fabrication methods.
Practical understanding of machining, welding, sheet-metal fabrication, and assembly processes.
Ability to develop and maintain bills of materials, work instructions, and engineering change documentation.
Experience troubleshooting prototype hardware and incorporating test or shop-floor feedback into design updates.
Working knowledge of mechanical loads, structural fundamentals, fits, tolerances, and basic analysis methods.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Ability to travel to vendors, test locations, and other Purple Rhombus facilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience productionizing prototypes or launching low-volume mechanical products.
Experience with electromechanical machinery, motor-driven mechanisms, or material-handling systems.
Experience with launch systems, UAS ground equipment, or aerospace support equipment.
Experience with GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and inspection planning.
Experience with structural FEA, fatigue, vibration, or mechanical test methods.
Experience designing assembly fixtures, manufacturing tooling, and serviceable field equipment.
Experience working with contract manufacturers, machine shops, and production technicians.

Responsibilities

Evaluate the prototype launcher for manufacturability, serviceability, repeatability, safety, and cost; identify and implement production design changes while preserving validated system performance.
Develop and release production-ready CAD models, detailed drawings, tolerances, bills of materials, and assembly documentation.
Design structural members, mounts, brackets, guards, interfaces, and other mechanical components.
Apply DFM/DFA principles to simplify components and assemblies, reducing fabrication effort, part count, tooling requirements, and assembly time.
Develop fixtures, alignment methods, work instructions, and inspection checkpoints; work with technicians to establish and refine the build sequence.
Prepare technical packages for quotations, resolve supplier questions, review manufacturing feedback, and support material and component selection.
Coordinate with purchasing and vendors to address lead times and quality issues.
Support mechanical packaging and integration of motors, drive components, pulleys, ropes or straps, bearings, cooling equipment, sensors, and electrical enclosures with electrical and controls engineers.
Support prototype and production-configuration assembly, ground testing, and performance verification.
Diagnose mechanical failures, fit-up issues, vibration, wear, and reliability concerns; document and implement corrective actions.
Maintain controlled mechanical drawings, bills of materials, revision history, and engineering change records; ensure released production configurations reflect tested and approved hardware.
Work with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, vendors, and test personnel; participate in design reviews, production readiness activities, hands-on assembly, and troubleshooting.