Lead Mechanical Engineer (Aero) at Skyways

Austin, Texas, United States

Skyways Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Aerospace, AviationIndustries

Requirements

  • 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience (aerospace preferred)
  • Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
  • Experience leading projects or small teams
  • Strong CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA (Ansys, Nastran) skills
  • Deep knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and GD&T
  • Experience working with outside vendors and taking designs into production
  • Startup mindset: resourceful, resilient, able to take a project from vague requirements to a flying aircraft
  • Bonus Points
  • You are a maker and doer! Show us your projects!
  • Composite design and analysis experience
  • Hands-on shop skills (CNC, CAM, composites, 3D printing, etc)
  • Flight experience (aircraft or drones)

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the design, analysis, and integration of aircraft structures, mechanisms, and composite systems
  • Lead projects through the full development cycle: CAD, FEA, prototyping, testing, and production
  • Balance performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability in every design decision
  • Mentor and support other engineers while staying hands-on with design, prototyping, and troubleshooting
  • Collaborate closely with aero, GNC, and manufacturing teammates to ensure designs perform in real-world flight
  • Build and test prototypes and see your work take flight

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

CADFEAPrototypingTestingProductionAircraft StructuresMechanismsComposite SystemsStructural AnalysisMechanical Design

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience level is required for the Lead Mechanical Engineer role?

The role requires 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience (aerospace preferred), a degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, and experience leading projects or small teams.

What technical skills are essential for this position?

Strong CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA (Ansys, Nastran) skills are required, along with deep knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and GD&T.

Where is Skyways located and is this role remote?

Skyways is based in Austin, TX. No remote work option is mentioned in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate stand out for this position?

Candidates with a startup mindset who are resourceful and resilient, hands-on shop skills like CNC and 3D printing, composite experience, and personal projects as makers will stand out.

Skyways

UAV-based delivery services for logistics

About Skyways

Skyways develops unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for efficient delivery services, focusing on on-demand resupply missions. Their drones can take off and land in various locations, making them suitable for transporting goods to remote or hard-to-reach areas. The primary users of Skyways' services include military operations, remote industrial sites, and emergency response teams, who rely on these UAVs to deliver essential supplies like meals, batteries, and medical equipment without putting human lives at risk. Skyways differentiates itself from competitors by providing cost-effective logistics solutions that are particularly useful in challenging environments where traditional transportation is impractical. The company's goal is to fill a critical gap in the logistics sector by leveraging advancements in unmanned aviation and electric propulsion, ensuring timely and safe delivery of supplies in remote and hazardous situations.

Austin, TexasHeadquarters
2017Year Founded
$16.5MTotal Funding
SERIES_ACompany Stage
Automotive & Transportation, DefenseIndustries
11-50Employees

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Risks

Competition from Zipline and Wing may impact market share.
Reliance on Orbital UAV for engines poses potential supply chain risks.
Regulatory hurdles could delay UAV deployment timelines.

Differentiation

Skyways focuses on UAVs for remote and hazardous environment logistics.
The company emphasizes full autonomy and large-scale fleet operations.
Skyways' UAVs can take off and land virtually anywhere.

Upsides

Skyways signed a contract with the U.S. Navy for prototype development.
Partnership with Orbital UAV enhances engine efficiency and range.
Growing demand for UAVs in emergency response boosts Skyways' market potential.

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