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Swift Engineering

Designs unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles

Senior Design Engineer - Design

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/21/2026
$120k - $160k
Senior
Bachelor's
San Clemente, CA, USA
In Person
Mechanical EngineeringDesign Engineering

About the job

Requirements
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering is required.
  • At least 7 years of experience in composite manufacturing processes is required.
  • Understanding of mechanics and material science engineering disciplines.
  • Sound understanding of composite processing.
  • Experience with common composite finishing materials and processes.
  • Working knowledge of tier 1, Nadcap, and AS 9102 composite aerospace environments as applied to configuration control, traceability, and quality processes.
  • Use of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing and common drawing practices.
  • CAD experience.
  • Use of Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Project.
Responsibilities
  • Realize parts and products in coordination with all other company departments, including creating manufacturing instructions, creating and maintaining bills of materials, maintaining ERP product structures, and handling material review board experience, first article inspections, and root cause investigations related to composites processing.
  • Support the evaluation, review, and technical planning of product requirements.
  • Document product structure and configuration, evaluate and approve necessary tools and software, develop work instructions, and communicate technical requirements and risks.
  • Design composite tools and fixtures.
  • Create and maintain detailed manufacturing instructions.
  • Review customer requirements and specifications.
  • Create internal composite specifications and procedures.
  • Approve drawings, manufacturing aides, and engineering orders.
  • Implement process improvements to reduce costs and cycle times.
  • Communicate changes and deviations to manufacturing by releasing revisions, red-lines, and engineering orders.
  • Review purchase orders.
  • Coordinate with Quality Assurance to assist with first article inspections.
  • Interface with customers on technical and program-related matters.
  • Conduct material review board work, first article inspections, and root cause investigations related to composites.
  • Enter ERP product structure and bill-of-materials data.
  • Develop ply patterns and create cut files.
Desired Qualifications
  • Familiarity with Boeing and Northrop Grumman material and process specifications.
  • CAD experience with SolidWorks and CATIA V5 is preferred.

About the company

Swift Engineering designs and builds high-performance vehicles with 30+ years of experience, specializing in unmanned systems, autonomy, robotics, and advanced composites. It conducts in-house product development and manufacturing, has produced more than 500 vehicles in a 60,000-square-foot facility, and has expanded into aerospace for both manned and unmanned programs. Its Swift020 Unmanned Air System is a winged drone that can take off and land like a quad-rotor and transition to efficient fixed-wing flight without extra launch or recovery equipment, serving markets such as oil and gas, maritime, emergency services, delivery, agriculture, research, surveillance, and defense, and features X-Blade Technology. The company aims to provide end-to-end development and production of high-performance unmanned and manned vehicles across multiple industries, reducing operation time and cost for customers.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$1.6M

Headquarters

San Clemente, California

Founded

1983

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Swift won NASA SBIR Phase II on July 15, 2025, extending runway.
  • November 12, 2025 ATLA exhibitor status opens Japanese defense and procurement conversations.
  • May 21, 2025 hiring of Fernando Sarmiento expands composites manufacturing capacity.

What critics are saying

  • Revenue depends on NASA and defense awards; one missed renewal starves development.
  • SULE must prove 30-day flight in 2026 or lose credibility.
  • Without government-funded wins, Swift lacks scale against larger defense contractors.

What makes Swift Engineering unique

  • Swift Engineering combines design, manufacturing, and product development under one roof.
  • NASA Phase II funding backs its SULE high-altitude endurance drone platform.
  • ATLA Industry Day 2025 selection signals defense access in Tokyo.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Family Planning Benefits
  • Fertility Treatment Support

Company News

IMA Network
May 22nd, 2025
Swift Engineering Taps Fernando Sarmiento as Manufacturing Engineer in Companys Composites Unit

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - May 21, 2025 - Swift Engineering, a leading innovator in advanced solutions for unmanned aviation as well as a range of other critical applications, has appointed Fernando Sarmiento to the position of Manufacturing Engineer.