Mechanical Engineer - UAV Platforms; Aerodynamics & Platform Design in Clearwater

Nokturnal AI builds autonomous unmanned aircraft systems and the denied-navigation and autonomy software that runs them, supporting U.S. defense and
-security missions. Our technology enables aircraft to navigate and operate reliably — day or night, in contested and GPS-denied environments — without dependence on external signals. We're a U.S.

-based, NDAA-compliant manufacturer, and our systems have been evaluated and fielded through Department of Defense programs.

We're scaling production of our Group 1–3 platforms — multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL — at our facility in Clearwater, FL, and we're hiring hands-on manufacturing technicians to build, wire, configure, tune, and test these aircraft from bare airframe to flight-ready system.

This is a build-and-test bench role for someone who is equal parts mechanically inclined, electronics-savvy, and detail-obsessed. You'll take airframes from kit and component form through full integration, calibration, and acceptance testing, and you'll be directly responsible for getting reliable, mission-ready aircraft out the door.

• Build airframes and sub-assemblies for fixed-wing, multirotor, and VTOL platforms from engineering drawings, work instructions, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Work with carbon-fiber, composite, molded, and 3D-printed structures — bond, laminate, fasten, and pot to spec (torque values, adhesives, sealants).
• Install propulsion and airframe hardware: motors, ESCs, propellers, servos, control surfaces, landing gear, and payload mounts.
• Route, dress, and secure wiring harnesses, looms, and connectors with proper strain relief and ESD-safe handling.

• Integrate flight controllers/autopilots, GPS/GNSS, IMUs, telemetry and data links, RF comms, and companion computers.
• Hand-solder and terminate connectors to IPC-A-610 / J-STD-001 workmanship standards.
• Integrate mission payloads and modules (sensors, cameras, comms, and navigation/autonomy hardware) and verify power and data interfaces.
• Assemble and manage battery systems (LiPo/Li-ion) and power-distribution boards per safety procedures.

• Flash firmware and configure autopilots (e.g., PX4, Ardu Pilot, or proprietary stacks).
• Calibrate accelerometers, gyros, compass/magnetometer, ESCs, radio/RC links, and onboard sensors.
• Tune PID/control loops and flight parameters for stable, predictable, mission-ready performance.
• Set up failsafes, geofencing, and ground control station (GCS) parameters.

• Run bench, power-on, and functional checks — motor/prop, control-surface travel, comms/RF range, and sensor health.
• Support ground runs and flight-test operations; complete pre-flight and post-flight inspections.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and software faults down to the component level; perform rework and re-test.
• Capture test data and telemetry and verify results against acceptance test procedures (ATPs).

• Follow work instructions, engineering change orders, and configuration control; maintain build records, serialization, and full traceability.
• Document nonconformances and support root-cause/corrective-action efforts.
• Contribute to process, tooling, and fixture improvements and help keep work instructions current.
• Maintain a clean, organized, 5S- and ESD-compliant workspace and follow all safety protocols.

• High school diploma or GED. Technical certificate or associate degree in electronics, avionics, aviation maintenance, mechatronics, or a related field .
• Hands-on assembly experience with electromechanical products, RC aircraft/drones, or aerospace/electronics manufacturing:
• • Technician I: 0–2 years (RC/drone hobby build experience counts)
  • Technician II: 3+ years
  • Technician III / Lead: 5+ years, including UAS or aerospace build-and-test
• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and multimeters; comfortable with basic test equipment (bench power supply, oscilloscope a plus).
• Ability to read and work from schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and BOMs.
• Soldering and connectorization experience.
• S…