Principal Airframe & Manufacturing Engineer

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in airframe structural design, analysis, and production.
Expertise in composite and metallic materials, bonded structures, and advanced manufacturing methods.
Hands-on experience in full-aircraft development, from concept to production launch.
Proficiency in CAD & FEA tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS).
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, including composite layup, bonding, CNC machining, and supplier management.
Experience with structural testing, fatigue analysis, and load validation for aerospace applications.
US Citizenship required due to security clearance requirements.

Lead the design and manufacturing development of advanced airframe structures, ensuring they meet mission, aerodynamic, and durability requirements.
Develop and optimize composite and metallic structures, including fuselage, wings, and primary load-bearing airframe components.
Drive the transition from R&D to full-scale production, working closely with manufacturing, suppliers, and fabrication teams to ensure a scalable, high-quality manufacturing process.
Oversee the integration of propulsion, avionics, and flight control systems within the airframe to ensure a structurally optimized UAV.
Develop advanced manufacturing processes, including composite layup, bonding, CNC machining, and automated fabrication techniques.
Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, including MIL-STD, FAA, and DoD regulations, for airframe design and production.
Conduct structural analysis (FEA), fatigue life assessments, and material stress testing to optimize aircraft performance and longevity.
Lead airframe prototyping efforts, supporting tooling design, materials testing, and initial flight validation.
Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers, collaborating across aerospace, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.

Experience working on high-performance UAVs, military aircraft, or advanced aerospace platforms.
Knowledge of additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and automated composite layup techniques.
Background in low-observable (stealth) airframe design and aerostructures.
Experience in scaling aerospace production, including supplier qualification and cost optimization.