Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace Structures)

Job Title: Sr. Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace Structures)

Employee Type: MSP

Expected Weekly Hours: TBD

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting the client’s business unit(s) with specifying, designing, and validating various 3D printed aerospace structures. This position will support a growing design services team who produce Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), namely designing the mechanical structures used in multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/Drones) designs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design 3D printable mechanical airframe structures at the part, sub-assembly, and system levels
• Apply knowledge of 3D printing technologies, primarily Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF), to design, print, and validate various airframe structures
• Apply knowledge of UAS categories to optimize the design approach to airframe structures across functionality, cost, and mass production readiness perspectives
• Apply knowledge of additive manufacturing for design for manufacturing (DFM) considerations
• Receive end user (customer) product and regulatory requirements and translate them into engineering specs
• Collaborate with metrology, quality, and reliability engineers to determine qualification needs for drone designs used in different industries/applications
• Perform R&D to integrate commoditized materials/parts into customized structure designs for improved design and production lead-times
• Lead finite element analysis (FEA), design, and DFM reviews on cross functional teams
• Act as a technical point contact for customers and part & material suppliers
• Perform other duties as needed

Education and Credential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Due to project scope - US Citizenship is a requirement to be eligible for this role.

Experience Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in a Sr. Mechanical Engineer design role

o Designed “hybrid systems” where off-the-shelf parts are strategically integrated into custom structural designs

o Proficient using CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo Elements, Direct Modeling, AutoCAD, or similar CAD packages for part, sub-assembly, and system level simulation and design

o Proficient using FEA tools such as ANSYS, Siemens NX, Nastran/Patran, or similar packages

o Designed 3D printed parts for use in R&D/rapid prototyping and/or mass production environments

o Hands on performing tolerance stack up analysis and drafting GD&T drawings

• Experience managing customer and supplier relationships

Preferred Experience:

• Designed lightweight structures used in aerospace applications
• Designed injected plastic molded parts
• Working knowledge of electroplating

Skills Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently
• High proficiency using productivity software such as M365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams and SharePoint)
• Ability to use agile/scrum project/program management principles and methodologies to consistently meet task deadlines, triage changing priorities, and track issues to resolution
• Ability to collaborate across diverse teams with a customer service mindset

Work Environment

• The position typically operates in a standard office environment and/or from employee’s home
• Be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Founded in 2010 and based in Vancouver, WA, RLA Engineering is a premier engineering design firm. We partner with clients from start-ups to industry leaders across the U.S. to help bring great products to life. From concept to prototype, we provide test & measurement and product design solutions powered by deep technical expertise.