Principal Aerospace Engineer

Work Arrangement

Onsite with occasional travel. Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, which can include weekends and holidays.

The Principal Aeromechanical Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing the design, development, and testing of aeromechanical systems and components. They collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful integration of aerodynamic, mechanical, and structural elements in aircraft and spacecraft designs. They provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, contribute to project management activities, and stay updated on industry trends and advancements in aeromechanical engineering.

• Lead the design and development of UAS products and subsystems.
• Build and test prototype systems to validate designs.
• Make decisions for design challenges and coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering groups.
• Evaluate performance of all vehicle designs from initial concept to complete production‑ready design.
• Conduct presentations (formal and informal) on designs.
• Use scientific and engineering principles to assess deficiencies in any given design and the impact of potential changes.
• Make complex decisions to meet stated and derived requirements.
• Complete assigned tasks within the project schedule and budget.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to others in both their discipline and company values.
• Conduct FEA and CFD simulation analysis on aircraft and powerplants.
• Design airframes and other aeromechanical parts.
• Act as an interface to customers as ideas are communicated.

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full‑time basis (or in accordance with posted schedule).
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company’s policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

• Demonstrated competence in Mechanical Engineering processes and design/analysis tools, solving mechanics & kinematics problems, solving thermodynamics problems.
• Experienced in successfully designing MIL‑Y electronics products.
• Understanding of metallic, plastic, and composite material properties.
• Ability to solve basic structural dynamics problems.
• Proficiency in Solid Works, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required.
• Understanding of industry design and documentation standards (GD&T, ASME, change control, etc.).
• Experienced with designing machined parts, composite parts, injection‑molded parts, sheet‑metal parts, wire assemblies, and mechanical assemblies for low, medium, and high‑volume manufacturing processes.
• Experienced with mechanical, lab, field, flight, and environmental testing.
• Understanding of engineering configuration management processes.
• Ability to work with high‑level program requirements, organize, schedule, and delegate tasks to an engineering team.
• Ability to provide leadership to the team.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Master’s Degree preferred.

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in a progressive technical capacity within an engineering organization.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment.

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.