Mechanical Engineer

Are you passionate about designing advanced aerospace systems and seeing your ideas progress from concept to flight-ready hardware? Innovative Aerosystems is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join a highly collaborative engineering team developing an innovative aerospace platform from concept through production.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work within a small, agile organization where engineering decisions are made quickly and where every team member has a direct impact on product success. Unlike large corporations where responsibilities are often segmented across multiple facilities, our team develops, integrates, tests, and refines complex aerospace systems within a single location. This environment provides exceptional visibility into the complete product lifecycle and unmatched opportunities for professional growth.

The Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for the mechanical design and structural development of the vehicle, including primary structures, mechanisms, payload integration, environmental protection, manufacturability assessments, and prototype development. The successful candidate will work closely with systems, aeronautical, electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers to develop robust solutions that meet demanding performance, reliability, and production requirements.

This role is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working across disciplines, and seeing their designs transition from CAD models into operational hardware.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop mechanical systems, structures, assemblies, and components for advanced aerospace applications.
• Create and maintain detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, assembly documentation, and product configurations using PTC Creo.
• Perform structural analyses and engineering calculations to validate designs and ensure compliance with performance requirements.
• Analyze static, dynamic, vibration, shock, and fatigue loading conditions.
• Utilize finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate structural integrity, optimize designs, and verify margins of safety.
• Support the development of lightweight, durable structures while balancing performance, manufacturability, and cost objectives.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing methods based on strength, weight, environmental, and production requirements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful integration of mechanical, electrical, propulsion, avionics, and software systems.
• Participate in system architecture development, trade studies, and design reviews.
• Support prototype fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing activities.
• Develop and execute test plans for structural, environmental, and functional verification.
• Investigate design and manufacturing challenges, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Work directly with machine shops, prototype fabricators, suppliers, and external vendors to ensure designs can be efficiently manufactured and assembled.
• Support transition of designs from development into low-rate and full production environments.
• Maintain engineering documentation and configuration management records.

Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, design standards, and development methodologies 

Requirements

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Person status required.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 2 to 4 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, structural mechanics, and engineering fundamentals.
• Proficiency with mechanical CAD tools, specifically PTC Creo.
• Experience developing detailed engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Ability to perform structural calculations involving loads, stresses, deflections, and factors of safety.
• Experience utilizing finite element analysis (FEA) tools to verify and optimize designs.
• Understanding of material selection and manufacturing processes, including machining, sheet metal fabrication, composites, additive manufacturing, and assembly techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Experience working directly with machine shops, suppliers, and manufacturing organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace or aviation-related development programs.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification standards such as DO-160G and/or MIL-STD-810H.
• Experience with structural, thermal, dynamic, or vibration simulation software.
• Experience with composite structures and lightweight engineering design techniques.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Understanding of aerospace hardware verification and validation processes.
• Experience supporting prototype development and flight test programs.
• Knowledge of configuration management and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

The successful candidate should demonstrate familiarity with:

• Structural design and analysis.
• Aerospace materials and manufacturing processes.
• Load path development and structural optimization.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Mechanical assembly design and integration.
• Vibration, shock, and environmental considerations.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
• Engineering change management and configuration control.
• Prototype development and hardware testing.
• Collaboration with fabrication shops and manufacturing partners.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, and stretch consistent with a typical engineering office, laboratory, and integration environment.
• Must be able to inspect mechanical hardware, prototypes, and assembled systems.
• Must be able to lift and carry components weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to participate in assembly, integration, ground testing, and flight test activities as required.
• Must be able to operate standard computer equipment and engineering development tools.
• Occasional travel may be required to support suppliers, testing, and manufacturing activities.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Learn Company products, technologies, and development programs within six (6) months.
• Learn Company engineering procedures and development processes within three (3) months.
• Gain working knowledge of the IA Quality System within three (3) months.
• Develop familiarity with applicable aerospace design standards and environmental qualification requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of advancements in materials, structural analysis methods, manufacturing technologies, and aerospace engineering practices.
• Continuously expand understanding of emerging technologies applicable to future      aerospace product development initiatives.

Why Join Innovative Aerosystems?

At Innovative Aerosystems, your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, and success of an advanced aerospace platform. You will work side-by-side with systems, aeronautical, electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers in a highly integrated environment where ideas move quickly from concept to hardware. This is an opportunity to take ownership of meaningful design challenges, contribute across the full development lifecycle, and see your engineering decisions become reality.

If you enjoy building innovative products, collaborating with talented engineers, and making a visible impact within a small team, we encourage you to apply.

All IA positions may include duties beyond those outlined within a description or generally expected within the business; however, employees are expected to raise questions regarding any task that may exceed their professional qualifications or physical capabilities.

All IA associates are expected to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and their colleagues, the security of company facilities, and the protection of proprietary information and technologies.

Innovative Aerosystems (IA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity and VEVRAA Employer. IA is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, IA is committed to company-wide affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.