Mechanical & Structural Engineer

Mechanical & Structural Engineer - Own the vehicle hardware, structures, and integration behind a next-generation interceptor

El Segundo, California | On-site

This role will own the mechanical architecture and structural integrity of a next-generation interceptor platform, taking vehicle hardware from early sizing and CAD through analysis, prototype builds, environmental testing, integration, and flight. The work spans primary and secondary structures, outer mold line implementation, mechanisms, subsystem packaging, launcher hardware, and ground support equipment. You will operate as a hands‑on responsible engineer for major portions of the vehicle, balancing structural performance, manufacturability, cost, and speed.

This is a broad vehicle engineering role for someone comfortable moving between CAD, FEA, machining, vendor coordination, assembly, test, and cross‑functional integration.

We are a venture-backed defense technology company developing a new class of cost-effective interceptor systems designed for scalable production. The team is small, highly technical, and focused on moving quickly from design and prototype hardware into real‑world test and flight demonstrations. Engineers work directly across propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, controls, manufacturing, and test with significant ownership over vehicle‑level decisions.

• Own major mechanical and structural subsystems of the interceptor from concept through flight
• Support overall vehicle sizing, structural architecture, and outer mold line implementation
• Design primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, brackets, interfaces, and integrated assemblies
• Develop and manage complex CAD models for the full vehicle and supporting hardware
• Perform structural analysis including static, dynamic, vibration, shock, buckling, and other relevant flight load cases
• Use hand calculations, FEA, and physical testing to efficiently size and validate structures
• Analyze aerodynamic, launch, maneuver, thermal, and vibration environments
• Define mechanical interfaces for propulsion, avionics, seekers, GNC, control actuation, and other vehicle subsystems
• Own packaging, routing, mounting, and structural integration across the vehicle
• Support actuator and control‑surface integration including hinges, cutouts, interfaces, and sealing
• Design launcher hardware, handling fixtures, transport equipment, environmental enclosures, and other ground support systems
• Take parts from CAD through prototyping, fabrication, inspection, assembly, and test
• Support hands‑on machining and rapid prototyping using internal or external manufacturing resources
• Select materials, processes, joining methods, and manufacturing approaches with performance, cost, and producibility in mind
• Work directly with suppliers, machine shops, and manufacturing partners to procure and troubleshoot hardware
• Lead or support vehicle integration, environmental testing, ground testing, and flight test campaigns
• Analyze test data, investigate anomalies, and incorporate findings into subsequent design iterations
• Produce and review detailed engineering drawings using GD&T and appropriate aerospace practices
• Make practical design decisions that balance technical requirements with unit cost and production scalability

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of hands‑on mechanical or structural design experience with aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or similarly demanding hardware
• Strong CAD proficiency with experience managing complex assemblies
• Strong structural intuition and understanding of how to select between hand calculations, FEA, and physical testing
• Experience with static, dynamic,…