Senior Mechanical Engineer; Unmanned Air Vehicle

Senior Mechanical Engineer (Unmanned Air Vehicle) About Robotics Centre

Robotics Centre is an Ottawa based advanced technology company launching domestic manufacturing of defence focused unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Kanata, Ontario. We design and build secure, mission critical drone platforms intended for government, defence, and public safety applications.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to contribute mechanical design and development of aerial robotics systems
. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who understands the unique constraints of UAV platforms—weight, strength, vibration, thermal management, and manufacturability—and who can translate system‑level requirements into cost effective, manufacturable and reliable mechanical solutions.

You will take ownership of mechanical product design, guide designs from concept through production.

• Lead mechanical system design for drone platforms and subsystems, including:
  • Airframes and structural components
  • Payload integration and mounting systems
  • Thermal management and environmental protection
• Develop lightweight, high strength designs optimized for performance, durability, cost and manufacturability.
• Own mechanical architecture decisions, trade studies, and design rationale.
• Create and review detailed CAD models, assemblies, and drawings suitable for prototype and production builds.
• Perform and interpret structural and thermal analyses (hand calculations and FEA) to validate designs.
• Support prototype builds, testing, troubleshooting, and iterative design refinement.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration.
• Lead design reviews and provide mentorship to junior mechanical engineers.
• Support transition to manufacturing, including DFM/DFA considerations, tolerance analysis, and supplier engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master’s degree considered an asset).
• 8+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, preferably in UAVs, robotics, aerospace, or advanced electromechanical products.
• Strong experience designing lightweight structures in constrained, performance‑critical systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools, preferably Solidworks, but other packages would be acceptable (e.g., Creo, NX, or equivalent).
• Solid understanding of materials selection, fastener design, composites, and manufacturing processes.
• Hands‑on experience supporting prototyping, testing, and design iteration.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• Direct experience with drone or autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Familiarity with vibration, shock, and environmental testing of aerospace or mobile systems.
• Experience with composite structures, additive manufacturing, and/or advanced fabrication techniques.
• Exposure to aerospace or safety‑critical design practices.
• Comfortable working directly with clients and contributing to technical scoping and requirements definition.
• CFD and structural finite element analysis to guide design decision would be an asset.

• Salary in the range of $80,000-$120,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Opportunities to lead mechanical development of cutting‑edge drone and robotics technologies in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Significant ownership and influence over product outcomes
• Flexible work culture focused on outcomes and engineering excellence.

Robotics Centre is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process.