Tactical Air Vehicle Lead

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We're a team of hardcore engineers who live and breathe aerospace. We’re generalists who each have subject matter expertise and operate in a flat organizational structure. We move fast and build world-changing technology in a pragmatic and competent workplace culture.

WHO YOU ARE:

Astro Mechanica is seeking an Air Vehicle Weapons Systems Lead to join our growing team. You’re a senior systems thinker and experienced aerospace engineer with a deep understanding of the important balance between aero, mission systems, survivability and performance. You seek to optimize mission effectiveness and create a combat system architecture that is affordable. You thrive at the intersection of aerodynamics, structures, and mission systems—where configuration decisions directly affect flight dynamics, weapons employment, and mission outcomes.. You have led or significantly contributed to the concept development, design, and integration of fixed wing tactical weapons systems and high-speed or stealth platforms and know how to balance complex trade-offs between performance, operation suitability, and affordability.

In this role, you will be the technical lead responsible for the design and development of advanced air vehicle concepts. That means owning the architecture, mechanical and electrical integration, physical interfaces, and deployment mechanisms, and making sure they work every time, under pressure.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Develop and integrate hardware on next-generation aircraft for the warfighter

• Own designs from concept development to prototype fabrication and flight testing

• Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision

• Collaborate directly with customers to ensure warfighter needs are fully captured and prioritized in design decisions

• Support system maturation from early concept through flight test, including ground-based functional testing and weapons release verification

• Own technical presentations, interface control documentation, and system-level risk assessments related to weapons integration

• Travel to vendor sites, test facilities, and government meetings as needed.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

• 10+ years of experience as a lead engineer or major subsystem lead on major fixed-wing, manned or unmanned tactical aircraft programs from conceptual design through prototyping and testing

• Current active in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee complex trade studies, and manage large aerospace projects

• Proven systems engineering expertise including working knowledge of requirements definition, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), interface management, and verification planning

• Strong background in tactical aircraft design including structures, loads, mass properties, subsystems, propulsion integration, mission systems integration, aero performance, survivability, and weapons integration

• Experience working closely with DoD customers and supporting classified programs

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

• Company-funded perks, including weekly team lunches and Astro Mechanica swag

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.