Mechanical Engineer

Intrepid Prosperity is hiring a Mechanical Engineer for a fast-growing developer and manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) supporting the U.S. Department of War and allied customers. Following significant recent contract awards, the company is standing up a new facility in the Tampa, Florida area for supply chain and component logistics, flight-test preparation, and low-rate and R&D integration. Joining now means helping to build the site, and its team, from the ground up.

The role

The Mechanical Engineer designs, develops and integrates mechanical systems on the company's UAS, including airframe structures, payload mounts and integration hardware, in a fast-paced R&D environment. The role combines CAD and analysis work with hands-on build and integration on the aircraft, includes regular support of flight testing, and works closely with subcontract manufacturers to make sure designs can be built reliably at rate.

What you will do

• Design and develop UAS mechanical components and assemblies, including airframe structures, payload and avionics mounts, enclosures and ground support equipment.
• Produce 3D models and fully toleranced 2D drawings (GD&T) in Onshape, managing releases and revisions.
• Perform engineering analysis (structural/FEA, weight and balance, thermal) to support design decisions.
• Design for manufacture and assembly, working with subcontract manufacturers on composite, machined and additively manufactured parts.
• Resolve obsolescence and form/fit/function substitutions.
• Perform hands-on mechanical integration of payloads, components and subsystems on UAVs.
• Rapidly prototype parts using 3D printing and workshop fabrication, and carry out fit checks.
• Plan and run structural, mechanical and environmental tests and document the results.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action on mechanical issues.
• Prepare aircraft and ground support equipment for flight-test events, support testing on site, and feed post-test inspection findings back into the design.
• Release drawings and BOMs, manage engineering changes, and produce assembly instructions for low-rate production and subcontract manufacturers.
• Work closely with electrical, software, systems and supply chain teams, and support junior engineers.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• 3+ years of mechanical design experience in UAS, aerospace, defense, robotics or similar hardware R&D.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Onshape preferred; SolidWorks, CATIA or similar considered), including production drawings with GD&T.
• Hands-on build and integration experience; comfortable working with tools in a workshop.
• Good understanding of structures, materials and manufacturing processes (machining, composites, additive).
• Comfortable in a fast-paced R&D environment with changing priorities.
• Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR/EAR (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or person granted asylum or refugee status).

Preferred qualifications

• Direct UAS or small-aircraft experience.
• Composite design and fabrication (wet layup, prepreg).
• Experience with Onshape.
• FEA tools such as Onshape Simulation or ANSYS.
• Launch and recovery systems or propulsion integration experience.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 or work in an AS9100 environment.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Location, hours and travel

On site at the company's Tampa, Florida area facility, Monday to Friday within core hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with reasonable additional hours during test events and field deployments. Engineering staff regularly support flight-test events at a test site about 45 minutes south of Tampa; test days may involve early starts, outdoor work in varying weather and occasional extended days. Occasional customer and supplier travel.

Compensation and benefits

• Highly competitive base salary depending on experience, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus after a 90-day review.
• Medical, dental and vision from day one; the company covers 80% of the baseline plan cost for employees and eligible dependents.
• 10 days PTO in year one and 15 days from year two, plus eight paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and paid military leave for Guard and Reserve service.
• 401(k) planned, with a company match of up to 3%.
• Reimbursement of pre-approved travel and flight-test expenses; company laptop and tools.

Conditions of employment

This role involves access to export-controlled (ITAR/EAR) items and technical data. Offers are contingent on reference and background checks. Candidates must be free to accept employment without breaching any prior agreement, and will sign the company's confidentiality, intellectual property and restrictive covenants agreement. The role involves lifting UAV components and equipment up to 50 lbs and working outdoors at the flight-test site; reasonable accommodations are available.

The hiring company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is at-will.