FG
Airframe Engineer
Accepting applicationsFruition Group US · San Diego County, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior Aiaiateganmentor
Posted
6d ago
Category
Manufacturing
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
Principal Airframe Design Engineer – UAV Systems
We are an aerospace engineering organization focused on developing advanced unmanned aircraft systems. Our teams work across the full development lifecycle to deliver high-performance aerial platforms through rapid iteration, disciplined engineering, and close integration across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines.
We operate in a fast-moving environment where engineers take ownership of complex hardware from early design through testing, production, and operational deployment.
The Role
We are seeking a Principal Airframe Design Engineer to lead the development of aircraft structural systems for next-generation UAV platforms. This role carries end-to-end responsibility for airframe hardware, including conceptual design, structural development, prototyping, validation, and production support.
You will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and integration requirements, while also contributing to technical direction and engineering standards.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant ownership and influence over both product and process development.
What You'll Do
Lead the design and development of UAV airframe structures from concept through production
Develop optimized structural layouts focused on weight, performance, cost, and manufacturability
Perform structural assessments and validate designs using analysis and test data
Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing-ready documentation with proper GD&T
Guide structural testing activities and use results to refine and improve designs
Collaborate with electrical, manufacturing, and test teams to integrate mechanical and electromechanical systems
Support hands-on prototyping and troubleshooting during build and test phases
Contribute to engineering standards, configuration control, and design best practices
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field)
10+ years of experience in aerospace or airframe mechanical design
Proven experience delivering complex mechanical systems from concept to production
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, and mechanical design principles
Experience applying design-for-manufacturing across multiple fabrication methods
Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent) and GD&T practices
Ability to perform first-order structural calculations (statics, loads, and stress fundamentals)
Experience integrating mechanical systems with electrical and electromechanical components
Hands-on experience with prototyping and manufacturing processes (including composites or additive methods)
Demonstrated technical leadership and experience mentoring engineers or leading design reviews
On-site availability required for hardware development and integration activities
Preferred Qualifications
12+ years of aerospace structural design experience
Experience across full lifecycle development including test and production transition
Ability to correlate analytical models with physical test results and iterate designs accordingly
Familiarity with configuration management and CAD revision control practices
Exposure to injection molding or polymer-based additive manufacturing processes
US Citizen or Green Card Holder only
Show more Show less
We are an aerospace engineering organization focused on developing advanced unmanned aircraft systems. Our teams work across the full development lifecycle to deliver high-performance aerial platforms through rapid iteration, disciplined engineering, and close integration across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines.
We operate in a fast-moving environment where engineers take ownership of complex hardware from early design through testing, production, and operational deployment.
The Role
We are seeking a Principal Airframe Design Engineer to lead the development of aircraft structural systems for next-generation UAV platforms. This role carries end-to-end responsibility for airframe hardware, including conceptual design, structural development, prototyping, validation, and production support.
You will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and integration requirements, while also contributing to technical direction and engineering standards.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant ownership and influence over both product and process development.
What You'll Do
Lead the design and development of UAV airframe structures from concept through production
Develop optimized structural layouts focused on weight, performance, cost, and manufacturability
Perform structural assessments and validate designs using analysis and test data
Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing-ready documentation with proper GD&T
Guide structural testing activities and use results to refine and improve designs
Collaborate with electrical, manufacturing, and test teams to integrate mechanical and electromechanical systems
Support hands-on prototyping and troubleshooting during build and test phases
Contribute to engineering standards, configuration control, and design best practices
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field)
10+ years of experience in aerospace or airframe mechanical design
Proven experience delivering complex mechanical systems from concept to production
Strong understanding of structural mechanics, materials, and mechanical design principles
Experience applying design-for-manufacturing across multiple fabrication methods
Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent) and GD&T practices
Ability to perform first-order structural calculations (statics, loads, and stress fundamentals)
Experience integrating mechanical systems with electrical and electromechanical components
Hands-on experience with prototyping and manufacturing processes (including composites or additive methods)
Demonstrated technical leadership and experience mentoring engineers or leading design reviews
On-site availability required for hardware development and integration activities
Preferred Qualifications
12+ years of aerospace structural design experience
Experience across full lifecycle development including test and production transition
Ability to correlate analytical models with physical test results and iterate designs accordingly
Familiarity with configuration management and CAD revision control practices
Exposure to injection molding or polymer-based additive manufacturing processes
US Citizen or Green Card Holder only
Show more Show less