Full-Time

Engineer – Rapid Prototyping

Posted on 8/4/2025

Otto Aviation

Otto Aviation

51-200 employees

Aerospace firm engineering laminar-flow, efficient aircraft

No salary listed

Fort Worth, TX, USA

In Person

Requires on-site work at Meacham Airport facility in Fort Worth, TX.

Category
Mechanical Engineering (2)
,
Required Skills
Assembly
Requirements
  • BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
  • Minimum 2 years rapid prototype experience, preferably in aerospace
  • Skills in CATIA V5/V6/3DX (or similar); 3DX is preferred
  • Hands-on experience with shop tools and equipment including drills, saws, lathes, mills, welders, routers, etc.
  • Strong understanding of materials (plastics, woods, metals, composites), their uses, and manufacturing techniques
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Overall knowledge of mechanical systems, propulsion, structures, avionics, and key interfaces to aircraft systems common on Part 23 / Part 25 aircraft
  • Strong knowledge of industry standards with hands-on experience
  • Basic understanding of Product Lifecycle Management processes
  • Familiarity with RTCA DO-160G, DO-254, and SAE ARP4754A
  • Familiarity with FAR Part 23 and Part 25 requirements
Responsibilities
  • Be a functioning team member within Otto’s Aircraft Integration Team
  • Lead the design, fabrication, and assembly of low-to-mid fidelity aerospace prototypes and mockups both in and out of house
  • Select materials, components, and fabrication methods suitable for performance, cost, and build speed requirements
  • Translate concepts, ideas, and sketches into function hardware and test rigs
  • Hands on fabrication, build, and assembly
  • Maintain a clean and safe working environment
  • Document build processes, test results, and design iterations to support engineering and certification efforts
  • Support design and fabrication of supplier on-site builds
  • Develop basic cost estimates for mockup designs
  • Ordering, purchasing, and retrieval of build components and supplies
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure prototypes meet performance and integration requirements
  • Perform and participate in trade studies to influence key aircraft decisions
Desired Qualifications
  • Electromechanical integration and test
  • Understanding of basic LV/HV wiring
  • Logistics and shipping experience or understanding of

Otto Aviation designs and develops highly efficient, low-emission aircraft. Its flagship Celera 500L uses a teardrop-shaped fuselage and laminar-flow aerodynamics to cut drag, powered by a RED A03 V12 engine, enabling six passengers to fly long distances (about 4,500 nautical miles) with very low operating costs and the ability to use sustainable aviation fuel. Building on that, it is developing the Phantom 3500, a nine-passenger executive jet aimed at certification by 2030 and designed to achieve net-zero emissions earlier than typical industry timelines by using transonic natural laminar flow technology. The company differentiates itself through advanced aerodynamics, high fuel efficiency, and a private funding model that pursues cost-competitive private air travel and cargo transport. Its goal is to make private air travel as affordable as commercial flights while significantly reducing emissions and overall environmental impact.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$3.9M

Headquarters

Yorba Linda, California

Founded

2008

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • 50% operating cost savings versus conventional midsize jets drives adoption among price-sensitive private aviation operators.[1]
  • DARPA partnership on laminar flow UAV expands addressable market beyond commercial business jets into defense contracts.[3]
  • Digital design tools and net-shaped composite manufacturing enable rapid iteration and cost reduction pre-certification.[5]

What critics are saying

  • Certification delays beyond 2030 erode Flexjet confidence and block $5B revenue stream entirely.[3]
  • Shift from validated Celera 500L to unproven Phantom 3500 super-laminar flow forces costly recertification.[3]
  • Private funding model with $50M raised by 2021 exhausts runway before 2030 certification completion.[2]

What makes Otto Aviation unique

  • Laminar flow technology reduces drag by 59%, achieving 30% greater aerodynamic efficiency than conventional aircraft.[1]
  • Phantom 3500 targets net-zero emissions by 2030, two decades ahead of ICAO 2050 industry standards.[1]
  • Flexjet's firm order of 300 aircraft validates market demand and provides $5B revenue visibility through 2030.[3]

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Performance Bonus

Stock Options

Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

-5%
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