Mechanical Engineering Manager

Zone 5 Technologies is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead out team of engineers in the design, analysis, and development of air vehicle mechanical hardware.  The successful candidate will oversee a mechanical engineering team, manage projects, promote design quality standards, and drive innovation in mechanical design and analysis.  This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and effective communication to deliver high-quality solutions in support of Zone 5's growing UAS development needs.  This position will work on-site in San Luis Obispo, CA at our Headquarters.

Position Summary 

As a Mechanical Engineering Manager, you will lead a team of engineers in designing, analyzing, and developing UAS mechanical solutions, ensuring compliance with industry standards and project requirements. You will also be a working manager, contributing at the individual mechanical engineering level as well as in a management capacity.  This role involves overseeing project execution, mentoring team members, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality mechanical solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mechanical engineering, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in tools like ANSYS and SolidWorks (preferred), with a focus on driving technical excellence and project success. 

Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow a team of engineers, fostering collaboration and innovation. 

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of projects. 

• Guide the team in designing, analyzing, and testing mechanical solutions. 

• Review designs and analyses to ensure integrity and performance. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate mechanical designs into systems. 

• Drive innovative approaches to advance design methodologies and solutions. 

• Drive the development of processes, procedures and standards. 

• Ensure quality of mechanical design and documentation.
  
  
• Liaise with stakeholders to communicate technical requirements and progress.

Required Qualifications:

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

• 7+ years of experience as a mechanical or structural engineer, including 2+ in a leadership or supervisory role 

• Proficiency in CAD systems, including 3D modeling and drawing generation 

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) 

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) 

• Proficiency in mechanical analysis methods and tools 

• Strong problem-solving skills
  
  
• Effective communication and collaboration skills 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field 

• Experience with Group 1-4 UAS systems engineering 

• Direct experience and proficiency in mentoring and training junior engineers 
• Proficiency with SolidWorks