Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Location: Utah, United States | On-site Employment: Permanent The Opportunity Our client is a growing engineering business developing unmanned aircraft for defense applications. They are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to take a practical, hands-on role in developing aircraft that meet operational requirements. Joining a small engineering team, you will take responsibility for mechanical designs throughout the development cycle, from initial concepts and prototypes through testing and production. The work spans quadcopter and fixed-wing platforms, with opportunities to influence technical decisions and collaborate directly with the team building the aircraft. This opportunity would suit an engineer who enjoys varied work, broad responsibility and seeing their designs progress into functioning aircraft. Key Responsibilities Develop UAV parts, structures and assemblies in SolidWorks. Create manufacturing drawings and assembly documentation using appropriate GD&T. Support new product introduction and the progression of designs from prototype builds into production. Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles to machined, injection-molded and composite components. Manage design revisions, configuration control and associated engineering records. Evaluate design trade-offs, including thermal and vibration requirements. Participate in design reviews, multidisciplinary problem-solving, testing and validation. Essential Experience A minimum of five years of hands-on experience using SolidWorks. Experience developing UAVs, preferably quadcopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Strong capabilities in mechanical design, manufacturing drawings and GD&T. Experience progressing products from prototype development into production. Practical understanding of machining, injection molding, composites and new product introduction. The ability to work independently, resolve engineering problems and communicate effectively with colleagues across disciplines. Desirable Experience Experience with PLM/PDM systems, mechanical testing, simulation or engineering analysis would be beneficial. A background in robotics, defense, aviation or other complex electromechanical products would also be relevant. Candidate Profile Our client is looking for someone who takes responsibility for their work, exercises practical engineering judgment and collaborates openly and respectfully. You should be comfortable responding to changing priorities and contributing across mechanical design, manufacturing and testing. Candidates from smaller companies and larger aerospace organizations are equally welcome, provided they can demonstrate broad technical ownership. If this role reflects your experience and the type of opportunity you are seeking, we would welcome a conversation about your background and priorities for your next move.