Lead UAV Airframe Engineer

WORK LOCATION:

San Luis Obispo, CA

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

SALARY RANGE:
The anticipated salary range for this role is $155,000 to $195,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.

The Airframe Lead serves as the mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle Integrated Product Team (IPT), with end-to-end technical responsibility for the airframe architecture, structural design, and mechanical integration of the aircraft. This role owns the airframe technical baseline and ensures that structural, mechanical, and manufacturability considerations are fully integrated across the vehicle lifecycle—from concept through flight test and production transition.

The Airframe Lead acts as the primary technical authority for airframe-related decisions, interfaces closely with adjacent disciplines (systems, propulsion, avionics, manufacturing, and test), and translates program requirements into a cohesive, certifiable, and producible airframe solution.

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

• Serve as the mechanical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT, owning airframe technical direction and decision-making.
• Define and maintain the airframe system architecture, structural design philosophy, and mechanical integration strategy.
• Own airframe requirements flowdown, trade studies, and design margins.
• Act as the technical authority for airframe-related design reviews, change control, and configuration decisions.
• Lead structural and mechanical design efforts including primary and secondary structures, joints, load paths, and interfaces.
• Ensure proper integration of propulsion, avionics, payloads, landing gear, and other subsystems into the airframe.
• Oversee composite and metallic structural designs, including material selection and manufacturing methods.
• Ensure designs meet performance, weight, strength, durability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Guide structural analysis activities (loads, stress, vibration, fatigue) and ensure alignment with design assumptions.
• Define structural test strategies, including component, subscale, and full-scale testing.
• Support ground and flight test efforts by providing airframe technical support and rapid issue resolution.
• Own closure of airframe-related discrepancies, test findings, and nonconformances.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure airframe designs are producible and scalable.
• Support tooling, fixture, and assembly process development.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) improvements.
• Support production readiness reviews and transition to sustained production.
• Serve as the primary airframe interface to systems engineering, program management, and leadership.
• Communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Mentor airframe engineers and specialists through technical guidance and design reviews.

The following are non-exhaustive qualifications for the position:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field required.
• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in airframe, structural, or mechanical design for aircraft or UAS.
• Demonstrated experience leading airframe or structural design efforts on complex aerospace systems.
• Experience working within IPT or program-based engineering environments.
• Strong expertise in airframe structures, load paths, and mechanical integration.
• Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools (e.g., Solid Works, CATIA, NX, or similar).
• Familiarity with structural analysis methods and interpretation of results.
• Experience with composite structures, bonding, and aerospace fastener systems.
• Understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and materials.
• Technical authority with strong engineering judgment.
• Ability to lead through influence rather than formal people management.
• Strong systems‑thinking…