Mechanical Engineer - Mechanical Systems

Job Description

Job Description

At Elroy Air, we build autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft systems to change the way the world moves goods. Transporting cargo by air is faster and more efficient than by land or sea, but before recent technological and regulatory developments, it was prohibitively expensive. Today, we’re able to expand middle-mile logistics possibilities across multiple sectors. The commercial express shipping industry spends $140B annually on the middle-mile and needs faster, better solutions - while the armed forces are increasingly prioritizing unmanned aerial cargo delivery systems.

These partners and customers are already responding enthusiastically to the technologies we are pioneering. As we develop and deploy these systems, we are looking for people like you: motivated collaborators, excited by our mission and by the rare opportunity to improve how logistics works around the world. You will play an important role in establishing Elroy Air as the industry standard in this massive market.

Diverse perspectives at all levels are critical to innovation and employee development. We encourage our team to bring their whole selves to Elroy. This includes but is not limited to gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, ability, parenthood status, veteran status, educational background, citizenship status, or any combination of these characteristics.

As a Mechanical Engineer you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, building, and testing the flight-critical mechanical systems that bring our autonomous cargo UAV to life. You will work on a range of mechanical and structural systems, driving mechanical design and decision making that enables aircraft testing and flight.

What you’ll own:

• Designing and developing vehicle subsystems (primary and secondary structures, flight control surface and actuation systems, landing gear, and/or thermal management systems, etc.), from system architecture through integration
• Properly utilizing static and dynamic first principles analysis tools, finite element simulation tools, trade studies, historical data, and best engineering practices to ensure components, mechanisms, and assembly designs meet load, weight, and safety requirements for flight.
• Understanding program objectives and requirements sufficiently to conduct trade studies and define architectures, requirements, and interfaces between subsystems
• Developing subsystem and component requirements compatible with safety, performance, and business objectives
• Managing functional and physical interfaces between the vehicle subsystems and the vehicle
• Performing analysis and test, including supporting the design and build of test fixtures, to verify subsystems and components meet performance and safety requirements
• Selecting and managing suppliers/partners to ensure components are within budget, schedule, and specification
• Preparing and presenting at gated design reviews to demonstrate the adequacy of a design

Our ideal candidate:

• MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
• 7+ years of experience as a professional Mechanical Engineer, directly related to vehicle subsystem design in the automotive, aeronautical, and/or space industries
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar CAD software, including PDM/PLM and data release processes
• Proficiency with MBD and GD&T
• Experience with complex mechanical, structural, and thermal management system design and analysis
• Experience with vibration, shock, thermal, and corrosion environmental testing and analysis
• Extremely capable in applying first principles, hand, and computer-aided analysis techniques to guide and prove mechanical designs
• Understands the intricacies of production processes including but not limited to sheet metal, composites, 3D printing, machining, waterjet and laser cutting, welding, bonding, etc.
• Is kind, respectful, and direct using strong verbal and written communication skills. Open to giving and receiving feedback.
• Thrives in a dynamic hands-on environment

Bonus points for:

• Experience with ASME Y14.5 GD&T
• Experience with lift + cruise or tilt-rotor EVTOL platforms
• Experience with FEA (NASTRAN, ANSYS, or similar)
• Proficient with FEMAP, NX Nastran, Matlab, Mathcad, Labview, and/or Python
• Prior experience designing, fabricating, testing, and operating airworthy primary and secondary structures, flight control surface and actuation systems, rotors and propellers, payload handling systems, landing gear, and/or thermal management systems
• Experience developing components for weight-constrained applications
• Working knowledge of Part 21 FAA aircraft type certification processes and Part 23 and Part 27 airworthiness standards. Experience with the requirements, means of compliance, and methods of compliance.

What's in it for you:

• Competitive pay + generous equity package
• Comprehensive options for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Company-sponsored long and short term disability coverage
• Retirement planning: 401(k) with company contribution + Roth IRA
• 3 months of fully paid parental leave
• Highly flexible time off policy- that we actually want you to use!
• Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 support
• A kind, diverse, and highly skilled team
• Flexible work arrangements (we understand you have a personal life)

Elroy Air's compensation package includes market competitive salary, equity for all full time roles, and great benefits. If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, our expected cash compensation for this role is $150,000 - $220,000. We are hiring for multiple levels and backgrounds so final offers may vary from the amounts listed based on experience, expertise, and other factors.

We encourage you to apply even if you aren't an exact match for our open role as many of our team members come from nontraditional backgrounds.

All employees will be screened through E-Verify.

This position will require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  Please note that any offer for employment will be conditioned on any required authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Elroy Air does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters that we do not have a written agreement with and all employment activities are managed through our People & Places team. We reserve the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes received without being responsible for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.