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Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Aeromechanical Design Engineer III is a key member of the design team focused on the development of the next-generation UAS and their subsystems. This will include all levels and facets of design from concept through detailed design and will include building and testing of these systems.

Position Responsibilities:

+ Designs structural components, electro-mechanical design, payload mechanical design, ground equipment mechanical design, launching systems, flight control actuators integration, thermal analysis, prototype hardware development, tooling & fixtures design

+ Design work shall be accomplished using CAD tools (SolidWorks), simulation tools (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS), and rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, etc.).

+ Other duties include: developing manufacturing drawings and bills of materials for components and assemblies using industry drafting standards, supporting design reviews, assisting project managers with the planning and scheduling of engineering work, and supporting manufacturing & suppliers with the production of components & assemblies

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

+ Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is required or equivalent combination of experience and education

+ 5 - 8 years' relevant experience in a technical and design capacity within an engineering organization

+ Demonstrated competency in Mechanical Engineering processes and design/analysis tools; solving Mechanics & Kinematics problems; and solving Thermodynamics problems.

+ Demonstrated understanding of metallic, plastic and composite material properties

+ Demonstrated ability to solve basic structural dynamics problems.

+ Proficiency in SolidWorks, Excel, Word and PowerPoint is required.

+ Demonstrated understanding of industry design and documentation standards (GD&T, ASME, Change Control, etc.)

+ Experienced with designing: machined parts, composite parts, injection molded parts, sheet metal parts, wire assemblies and mechanical assemblies for low, medium and high-volume manufacturing processes.

+ Experienced with: mechanical, lab, field, flight, and environmental testing.

+ Demonstrated understanding of engineering configuration management processes.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

+ Experience with SolidWorks EPDM, Agile PLM, and MATLAB is preferred

+ Hands-on experience with metal and composite fabrication and 3D printing is highly desirable.

+ Knowledge and experience of analytical techniques and tools for FEA, Thermal, Aerodynamics, would be an advantage.

+ Skilled at working from high-level program requirements. Organizes, schedules and delegates tasks to an engineering team

+ Familiarity with UAVs and related engineering design processes highly desirable.

+ Familiarity with electro-mechanical/mechanism design, aerodynamics, “data engineering” (instrumentation/data acquisition/data analysis) would be a considerable advantage

+ Has creativity and the interest to invent and improve vehicle systems and motivated to make things happen

+ Exhibits strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicates with one's intended audience.

+ Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and works well with others across disciplines

+ Demonstrates strong presentation skills for formal reviews both internally and externally

+ Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share abroad variety of duties.

+ Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

+ Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

+ Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others and the company

Physical Demands

+ Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

+ Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

The salary range for this role is:

$93,371 - $132,300

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

_T_ _his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements._

**Benefits** : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

_We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status._

ITAR

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)