Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Details:

Job Location:

Flightwave
- Torrance, CA 90503, Salary Range: $ - $ Salary, Red Cat Aerial, a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is looking to fill a Mechanical Engineer position. We are a dynamic and growing drone technology company focused on the manufacturing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS drones) for use in defense, public safety, and other government security organizations.

Essential functions of a job that are crucial to its purpose and must be performed regularly. They are the fundamental tasks that an employee must be able to carry out, with or without reasonable accommodation, and are central to defining the role's purpose.

• Be the technical authority for mechanical and system level changes.
• Lead mechanical heavy projects, and consult the business on new ideas and products to keep a competitive edge.
• Design electro-mechanical systems for UAS systems in Solid Works with expert precision.
• Prototype, validate, and prepare designs for scalable manufacturing through DFMEA, NPI and Sustaining processes.
• Develop and build tools, fixtures, and automation jigs for manufacturing.
• Identify and qualify new vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Draft assembly procedures, inspection and test procedures, test reports, and product requirements documents.
• Get hands on with the NPI process, including building hardware systems yourself.
• Fly, design, and build incredible drones.

Education:

Minimum education (e.g., Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field).

Experience:

Required years of relevant experience (e.g., 5+ yrs project management or sales).

Skills:

Key skills for success:
Proficiency with tools. Strong communication and teamwork.

Certifications:

Any certifications needed or preferred (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma).

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of industry experience in a design-focused engineering role.
• Demonstrate experience in leading a team or project from cradle to grave.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration abilities with clear communication strategy.
• Demonstrated excellence in problem-solving, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• 10+ years of hands‑on experience with Solid Works or comparable CAD platforms (e.g., NX, Creo, AutoCAD).
• Proven ability to drive system‑level architecture decisions and support full lifecycle product development through strong systems engineering principles.
• Proven ability to perform FEA analysis, including modal, thermal and aerodynamic analysis.
• Proven experience designing for high‑rate production, including rapid prototyping and new product development.

• Experience with BLDC motor system design and integration.
• Background in flexible PCB and cable routing design for high-reliability motion systems.
• Experience in robotics, UAVs/drones, or related industries.
• Familiarity with camera systems and other optical components.
• Experience supporting PCBA layout and production from a mechanical engineering perspective.
• Experience with microcontroller programming for test fixtures, production systems, or related hardware.
• Knowledge of structural composite design (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber) and composite mold design.

• Be able to lift 15 lb
• Work on your feet for 5+ hours each day

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment…