Mechanical Engineer

About Aventra

Aventra Defense Systems is a defense technology company developing and delivering autonomous aerial systems for the U.S. government and allied partners. We operate at the intersection of advanced hardware, software, and national security - designing, building, and fielding systems that perform in the world's most demanding environments.

We are a mission-driven team moving at startup speed with defense-grade accountability. Our programs span contracted deliveries, government demonstrations, and ongoing system development - and our pace reflects the urgency of the problems we're solving.

Position Overview & Key Responsibilities

Position Overview

Aventra Defense Systems is seeking a mid-level Mechanical Engineer to own the design and productization of subsystems within our high-altitude platform product line - from early prototype through a field-ready, producible design. This is a hands-on, individual-contributor role with clear subsystem ownership: you'll take a specific piece of the high-altitude system and drive it from where it stands today toward a production-ready product.

Key Responsibilities

Subsystem Design

• - Own mechanical design of an assigned high-altitude subsystem, building on existing prototypes and designs
• - Design for reliability, manufacturability, and cost at the subsystem level
• - Run bench and field testing to validate performance across environmental and altitude conditions

Productization

• - Drive the transition from working prototype to a field-ready, producible design
• - Identify and resolve manufacturing, sourcing, and reliability issues before they reach production
• - Support production handoff once a design is field-validated

Integration & Iteration

• - Coordinate with electrical and software teams on actuation, control, and sensor feedback interfaces relevant to the subsystem
• - Incorporate flight test data and field feedback into iterative design improvements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• - 3-6 years of industry experience in mechanical design, ideally including high-altitude, pneumatic/fluidic, or release/deployment mechanisms
• - Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks or OnShape, with a demonstrable portfolio of designs you've taken from concept through hardware
• - Hands-on prototyping and testing experience
• - US Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• - Experience with high-altitude balloon systems, valves, ballast/release mechanisms, or other stratospheric platform hardware
• - Aerospace or defense hardware background
• - Startup/small company experience

$120,000 - $185,000 a year

Compensation Package

• - Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• - Generous health coverage for employee and family, premium fully covered
• - 4% 401k match
• - PTO and Sick Leave

Travel & Work Environment

Travel Requirements

• - Travel up to 25% to customer sites, and field test locations
• - Ability to work in austere field conditions and military operational environments
• - Flexibility to support urgent operational requirements and schedule changes

Work Environment

• - In-person role based in Herndon, VA
• - Collaborative environment supporting critical national security missions
• - Direct support to warfighter capabilities and mission success

Aventra Defense Systems, Inc is a venture-backed startup building scalable, precision-guided capabilities for the next generation of combat. We are assembling a team of engineers and operators who believe in speed, simplicity, and delivering real capability to the field—not just PowerPoint slides.