Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD IntegratorLocation: Suffield, CT
Schedule: Onsite, 5 days per week
The OpportunityLiquidPiston is seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer / Aircraft CAD Integrator to play a key role in the design and integration of our fixed-wing VTOL and UAS platforms.
You will own the top-level aircraft CAD model and be responsible for understanding how the entire aircraft fits together. You will work across structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical systems, cooling, controls, and other disciplines to ensure that individual subsystem designs come together as a functional, buildable aircraft.
This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys being close to both the design and the hardware. You will help move aircraft designs from concept through detailed design, prototyping, integration, ground testing, and flight-test iteration.
The ideal candidate has experience owning a full-vehicle or major-system CAD assembly and is comfortable working in a fast-moving R&D environment where engineers are expected to take ownership, solve problems independently, and work across traditional engineering boundaries.
ResponsibilitiesAircraft Design & Integration- Own, maintain, and continuously improve the top-level aircraft CAD model.
- Integrate structures, propulsion, avionics, electrical systems, cooling, controls, and other aircraft subsystems into a cohesive vehicle configuration.
- Manage interfaces between engineering disciplines and identify fit, clearance, packaging, and interference issues before they reach the build.
- Coordinate CAD models and design inputs from multiple engineers, vendors, and external partners.
- Resolve conflicting geometry, outdated references, and integration issues to maintain an accurate and reliable aircraft model.
- Design and develop aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and subsystems associated with LiquidPiston's hybrid propulsion technology.
- Evaluate how subsystem-level design changes affect aircraft-level weight, CG, mass properties, packaging, and performance.
- Perform aircraft-level engineering and configuration trade studies.
Prototyping, Testing & Iteration- Support the fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of aircraft components and systems.
- Work directly with technicians and manufacturing personnel to identify and resolve design and build issues.
- Participate in ground and component testing and ensure test articles accurately represent the released design.
- Support flight-test preparation, aircraft configuration reviews, and post-test design iterations.
- Rapidly incorporate lessons learned from testing into subsequent aircraft designs.
- Support design reviews, including SRR, PDR, and CDR, with accurate and current aircraft-level models and drawings.
Configuration & Design Documentation- Establish and maintain practical configuration-control processes appropriate for a small, rapidly evolving engineering organization.
- Manage part numbering, revisions, design changes, and released documentation.
- Maintain drawing packages and ensure released drawings accurately reflect the current aircraft configuration.
- Document aircraft interfaces, design rationale, and CAD model structure to preserve critical engineering knowledge.
- Work with external suppliers and engineering partners to incorporate designs and analyses into the aircraft configuration.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of applied engineering experience in aerospace, UAS/UAV, defense, advanced mobility, or another complex product-development environment.
- Demonstrated experience owning a top-level assembly or vehicle-level CAD model for a complete aircraft, vehicle, or major integrated system.
- Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks, CATIA, or a comparable mechanical CAD platform, including large assembly management.
- Strong understanding of mechanical design, aircraft integration, system interfaces, packaging, and design for manufacturing.
- Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines and resolving competing subsystem requirements.
- Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and tolerance stack-ups.
- Hands-on experience designing, building, troubleshooting, or testing physical hardware.
- Strong engineering fundamentals with the ability to apply physics-based reasoning to practical design decisions.
- Ability to work independently, identify problems, and drive solutions from concept through implementation.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment where designs and priorities can evolve quickly.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience developing fixed-wing VTOL, UAS, UAV, or autonomous aircraft.
- Experience integrating propulsion systems into aircraft, including engines, generators, hybrid-electric systems, or electric propulsion.
- Experience with aircraft-level weight, balance, CG, and mass-property management.
- Experience designing composite aircraft structures using carbon fiber, fiberglass, and epoxy systems.
- FEA experience using ANSYS or similar tools, particularly for aerospace structures and design optimization.
- Aircraft-specific CFD experience or experience incorporating external CFD analysis into aircraft design.
- Experience with additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping.
- Experience with autonomous flight-control systems, R/C aircraft, avionics, or electromechanical systems.
- Familiarity with FAA conformity, certification, or aerospace design documentation requirements.
- Experience with PLM, PDM, ERP, or formal configuration-management systems.
- Experience working with external engineering, manufacturing, or analysis vendors.
- A portfolio demonstrating relevant aircraft, vehicle, mechanical design, or prototype development work.
Benefits & Perks:- PTO: We value work-life balance and encourage time to rest and recharge.
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical and voluntary dental, and vision coverage - you choose what works best for you.
- Equity Participation: Employes may receive RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).
- 401(k) Match: We offer a 401k w/100% matching up to 3% of your salary and then 50% of contributions between 3-5% after 1 year of employment.
- Career Growth: Ongoing training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to accelerate your growth.
