Mechanical Engineer, Air Vehicles for Fastwater Staffing

Costa Mesa, CA Until 8/21/2026 5+ years exp First posted April 14, 2026 Last posted April 14, 2026
Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Air Dominance and Strike Mechanical Engineering Team is responsible for designing and integrating advanced hardware for Group 5 air vehicles and missile platforms. Air Dominance and Strike Mechanical Engineers own the full development lifecycle, from concept generation, to integration and flight test, ensuring high-performance, resilient, and scalable mechanical systems that meet the demands of complex, contested environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

  • Develop and integrate hardware on unmanned air vehicles
  • Own designs from concept generation to real world use
  • Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision
  • Lead design reviews, run analysis, visit vendors, define and execute hardware test plans
  • Build prototypes, analyze failures, and transition successful projects into production
  • Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed
  • Travel to test sites as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience Advanced Air Vehicles Programs
  • Experience integrating electrical and mechanical subsystems into advanced air vehicles
  • Experience designing mechanical parts (CAD). Understanding of manufacturing methods (machining, sheet metal, composites, 3D printing, injection molding, composite lamination, etc)
  • High competence with, and fluid use of, engineering first principles
  • BS or higher degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in NX/Teamcenter
  • Experience developing aircraft subsystem layouts, performing architectural trade studies, and evaluating vendor performance data
  • Competency in engineering analysis, including structural, thermal, and electrical
About this role

Summary

Design, develop, and integrate hardware for advanced unmanned air vehicles.

Job title

Mechanical Engineer, Air Vehicles

Experience level

5+ years

Minimum experience

5+ years exp

Industry

aerospace

Location requirements

Costa Mesa, CA; remote work not specified.

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

mechanical engineeringCADmanufacturing methodsfirst principles

Preferred skills

NXTeamcenteraircraft subsystem layoutsstructural analysisthermal analysiselectrical analysis

Specializations

hardware integrationair vehiclesdesignanalysistesting
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Work arrangement unknown City