Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Pyka•Alameda, CA

1d•$125,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Pyka is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join our experienced, collaborative, and highly motivated engineering team. In this role, youâll take meaningful ownership of mechanical components and subsystems on the aircraft, supporting them from early concept through serial production and in-field support. Our Mechanical Engineering team works closely with Manufacturing Engineers, Flight Test Engineers, and fellow Mechanical Engineers to design, test, and iterate on flight-critical hardware. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role with real impactâyouâll be trusted with significant responsibility while being supported by a team that values clear communication, iteration, and continuous learning. Youâll have the opportunity to contribute across the full lifecycle of the aircraft, influence design decisions early, and see your work fly (literally).

Requirements

3â5+ years of professional experience in mechanical design; aerospace experience is a plus but not required
Experience designing composite structures and supporting their analysis and manufacture
Familiarity with designing parts for a variety of manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with comfort asking for clarification and providing thoughtful feedback
Experience using a 3D CAD package (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, Inventor)
Experience applying FEA and hand calculations to validate mechanical design decisions (stress, strain, thermal, fatigue)

Nice To Haves

Curiosity and an eagerness to learn, with the ability to research new topics and try new approaches
Enthusiasm for hands-on work in a prototyping or shop environment

Responsibilities

Act as the Design Responsible Engineer for multiple mechanical components, from initial requirements through serial production and in-field support
Collaborate with Senior Engineers on conceptual design, prototyping, testing, iteration, and documentation of flight-critical mechanical parts and assemblies
Create and maintain accurate 3D CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing documentation
Partner with manufacturing teams to develop tools and processes that enable efficient in-house production
Communicate with external suppliers and fabricators to ensure high-quality parts are delivered on time
Contribute to a team culture that values asking questions, sharing feedback, and solving problems collaboratively