Staff Aero-Mechanical Engineer

Redwire Defense Tech•San Luis Obispo, CA

3d•$150,000 - $184,000•Onsite

About The Position

Redwire Defense Tech is seeking a Staff Aero-Mechanical Engineer to serve as a cross-disciplinary technical leader responsible for the design and integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), including airframe and all integrated subsystems. Operating with a high degree of independence, this role drives major architecture decisions, ensures design integrity from concept to production, and mentors engineering teams through the full development lifecycle. Staff Engineers balance deep technical execution with system-level thinking, both executing designs and setting standards that improve team throughput and quality. They act as trusted technical advisors to program and engineering leadership, supporting reviews, trade studies, and continuous improvement initiatives that shape the company’s technical roadmap.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required.
7–10 years of progressive engineering experience in aerospace, UAS, or defense environments.
Demonstrated ownership of system-level designs and cross-discipline integration.
Proven experience leading design reviews and guiding teams through development cycles.
Expert CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred) with large-assembly and PDM management experience.
Proficiency in mechanical and structural analysis methods (FEA, thermal, fatigue).
Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes including composites and precision machining.
Understanding of systems engineering principles and configuration management.
Ability to translate requirements into design solutions and verify via testing.
Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence technical direction.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Proactive communication style that builds alignment across teams.
Organized and strategic thinker capable of balancing multiple priorities.
Commitment to mentoring others and advancing engineering discipline maturity.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
10+ years in aerospace design and integration with lead engineering or project lead responsibilities.
Experience with flight test campaigns and validation of aerospace structures or mechanisms.
Proficiency with advanced simulation and optimization tools (CFD, multiphysics, fatigue modeling).
Experience developing design standards or training content for engineering teams.
Familiarity with safety and regulatory requirements for defense or certified aircraft programs.
Ability to think strategically about technology roadmaps and process improvement.
High emotional intelligence and ability to foster trust within technical teams.
Demonstrated ability to balance innovation with schedule and risk considerations.
Effective stakeholder management with a focus on collaboration and execution.

Responsibilities

Own the architecture and integration of mechanical and aero systems across airframe and integrated UAS.
Lead cross-disciplinary technical design reviews and mentor project teams through critical design milestones.
Perform detailed analysis balancing weight, strength, thermal performance, and manufacturability.
Develop design standards, checklists, and best practices for CAD modeling and documentation across the team.
Oversee validation testing and troubleshoot issues that span mechanical, structural, and system interfaces.
Contribute to system architecture definition and configuration management strategy for multi-program alignment.
Collaborate with production and quality teams to ensure design maturity supports manufacturing scalability.
Serve as a technical mentor and provide guidance on complex analyses or cross-functional trade-offs.
Drive innovation initiatives through R&D and IRAD projects to advance new technologies and processes.