The OpportunitySkyways is hiring a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the architecture and development of critical aircraft systems. This role owns complex hardware from early concept through build, testing, and flight validation.
Staff engineers play a key role in defining mechanical design strategy across the aircraft, helping guide subsystem architecture, resolving system level challenges, and supporting engineers across the team. This role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to move quickly through design, build, and test cycles.
What You'll Do:- Lead the architecture, design, integration, and validation of critical aircraft structures
- Own complex aircraft hardware from early concept through detailed design, prototype build, ground test, flight test, and iteration
- Drive system level integration across structures, avionics, propulsion, and payload systems, to resolve interface, packaging, and performance tradeoffs
- Partner closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and capable of scaling from prototype to repeatable production
- Participate in aircraft builds, integration efforts, and flight test campaigns
- Mentor engineers and help define engineering standards and best practices
- Help identify and resolve system level design challenges across the aircraft
What You'll Bring:- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- Deep experience designing aircraft or flight vehicle structures, mechanisms, and subsystem integration
- Track record of owning novel hardware from a blank page, including the first principles sizing, loads analysis, and trade studies that set the design, not just execution within an existing architecture
- Experience taking hardware from concept through build, testing, and deployment
- Strong system level thinking and ability to resolve complex integration challenges
- Strong track record of working directly with prototype builds, hardware integration, and test campaigns, not just analysis or documentation
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations teams
Bonus Points:- Experience with composite structures or lightweight aerospace systems
- Experience leading hardware development in robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
- Experience working in startup or rapid hardware development environments
In addition to base salary, offers include stock options, so you own part of what you build. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401k, and life insurance.
Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to Austin.
Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.
