Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

From Engine Bay to Payload, we protect vital structures and systems.

Hera Technologies is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in high-precision metallic and non-metallic solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space sectors. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has positioned us as an industry leader in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of thermal support systems. Our team is driven by excellence, integrity, and a passion for advancing aerospace technology.

Take the next step in your career with a company committed to excellence, where your contributions are recognized, and your potential is realized.

Job Summary: The Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer position leads the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced mechanical components and assemblies for Hera Technologies’ industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS). The engineer will work hands-on with TPS soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes, supporting the full lifecycle from concept and design through prototyping, manufacturing, and production. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, performance optimization, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards. Ideal candidates bring a strong foundation in mechanical design and manufacturing, with practical experience in advanced materials and ruggedized hardware applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies for Hera’s industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS), including soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement scalable manufacturing and assembly processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards.
• Create and maintain process documentation and controls to support consistent production outcomes and optimize throughput across design, prototyping, and manufacturing phases.
• Utilize traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques for metallics, composites, and other materials used in thermal protection systems and critical aerospace structures, ensuring performance, durability, and production scalability.
• Prototype and test advanced materials—including carbon fiber composites, high-temperature elastomers, and reinforced fabrics—iterating based on performance data and failure analysis.
• Investigate material failures, process anomalies, and manufacturing defects by leading root cause analyses to implement corrective actions in both development and production phases.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience, with emphasis on metallic, composites and thermal protection systems (TPS).
• Proven leadership in engineering projects involving design, prototyping, and production of mechanical systems, including soft goods and polymer-based components.
• Hands-on experience with advanced materials and mechanical components in aerospace or defense applications, including TPS and engineered surface finishes.
• Strong understanding of elastomer and composite manufacturing processes, material properties, and relevant aerospace testing standards.
• Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) with the ability to produce high-quality, production-ready engineering drawings.
• Solid foundation in engineering principles including structures, materials science, thermal management, and mechanical system design.
• Skilled in prototyping and fabrication techniques such as machining, composite layups, bonding and mechanical assembly.
• Expertise in creating manufacturing and build plans/procedures for variety of customer products and assemblies with respect to industry standards or customer supplied specifications. 
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in SolidWorks or similar CAD/CAM tools, with experience using PLM systems to manage design and production workflows.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, with demonstrated ability to apply tolerancing principles in aerospace-grade engineering drawings.
• Advanced design experience across CNC machining, composites, ceramics, sheet metal, and injection molding, including tooling and mold development for high-performance applications.
• Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills in cross-functional engineering environments, including collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and program teams.
• Familiarity with qualification campaigns for aerospace and defense hardware, including ruggedized systems and TPS components.
• Experience designing for harsh environments, ensuring durability, thermal resilience, and mechanical integrity under extreme conditions.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher), or the ability to obtain one based on eligibility. This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
• Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.
• May require use of PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, in accordance with Cal/OSHA safety standards.
• Occasional travel to supplier or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.
• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English.

Job Details

FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt)

Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000

Business Hours: Core Business hours (flexibility to support project needs beyond standard times)

Reports to: Engineering Manager

Base Location: Irvine, CA with travel to Ontario, CA or other Canopy A&D US operations based on business needs

Travel: Up to 10%

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. 401K company match (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Canopy A&D is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.