About the Role

Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Design

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.  

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic. 

As a Mechanical Engineer at Swarm Aero, you will lead the design, integration, and testing of structural and mechanical systems that make our long-range aircraft possible. You’ll work from concept through flight test, ensuring designs are optimized for performance, manufacturability, and reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, integrate, and test aircraft mechanical systems such as flight controls, landing gear, fuel systems, and related subsystems.

• Create detailed CAD models, assemblies, and installation drawings.

• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) principles to enable rapid scaling of mechanical systems and assemblies.

• Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are producible at scale.

• Oversee fabrication, assembly, and test of mechanical subsystems.

• Conduct engineering analyses; document and present findings.

• Support testing and troubleshooting during prototype build, integration, and flight.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

• 7+ years of mechanical design and integration experience.

• Proficiency in CAD (NX preferred).

• Familiarity with PLM systems (Teamcenter or equivalent).

• Knowledge of GD&T, drafting standards, and structural analysis fundamentals.

• Understanding of machining, sheet metal, and composite processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or UAV programs.

• Background in actuation systems, landing gear design, fuel or hydraulic systems.

• Exposure to additive manufacturing methods.

• Lifecycle experience from concept through production.

Compensation Range: 

• Base Salary: $165,000 - $210,000 + Equity

What we Offer:

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience  

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and paid sick time

• Monthly Wellness Stipend

• Daily catered lunch to office

• Paid parental leave

• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security

• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems 

Optionally: Candidates for this position must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance. 

To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About the Company

Swarm Aero is pioneering the future of air power by developing radically efficient, large-scale UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicle) swarms designed for both defense and commercial applications. Their technology enables small teams to command thousands of autonomous vehicles across air, sea, and ground domains, even in communications-limited and contested environments. Swarm Aero’s UAVs are built from the ground up for collaborative autonomy, leveraging advanced sensor meshes, edge computing, and browser-based, platform-agnostic control interfaces. The company’s solutions are tailored for adaptive sensing, intelligence, resilient communications, logistics, disaster response, and defense, offering a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional, high-cost military aircraft.

Potential employees at Swarm Aero will appreciate the company’s culture of rapid innovation, tight design-build-test cycles, and a mission-driven environment focused on redefining what aircraft can achieve. The leadership team brings experience from record-breaking aviation projects, high-rate aerospace manufacturing, and successful tech startups, fostering a collaborative and ambitious workplace. Swarm Aero is backed by top-tier investors and is actively expanding, offering opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology with real-world impact in national security and beyond.
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Swarm Aero

Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Design

Type
full-time
Department
Aircraft
Location
Oxnard, CA
Salary
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