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AeroVironment

Defense technology and unmanned aerial systems

Mechanical Designer/Drafter 3

Design EngineeringPosted on Nov 12
Full-timePetaluma, CA, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
  • A minimum of 8–10 years of related experience in a mechanical design and drafting position is required.
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) certification or higher is required.
  • Understanding of industry design and documentation standards, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), ASME, and configuration management, is required.
  • Excellent working knowledge of the Drawing Requirements Manual (DRM) is required.
  • Excellent working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 standards is required.
  • Expertise in SOLIDWORKS computer-aided design (CAD) is required.
  • Experience and proficiency with SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management (PDM) is required.
  • Competence in designing composite aerospace structures and related composite manufacturing processes is required.
  • Experience should emphasize the design of electromechanical systems, mechanical assemblies, electronics packaging, composite parts, injection-molded plastic parts, tooling and fixtures, and wire assemblies.
  • Experience creating machined-part drawings, composite-part drawings, injection-molded plastic-part drawings, sheet-metal fabrication drawings, source-control drawings, specification-control drawings, wire-assembly drawings, mechanical-assembly drawings, and weldment drawings is required.
  • The candidate must demonstrate substantial understanding of the position and apply knowledge and skills to complete a wide range of tasks.
  • The candidate must demonstrate the ability to interface effectively with other group members and departments.
  • The candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
  • The candidate must demonstrate initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
  • The candidate must take ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
  • The candidate must be committed to learning from mistakes and improving their own, others', and the company's performance.
  • The candidate must have effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills and focus on teamwork and collaboration.
  • The candidate must be able to work in an office environment.
  • The candidate must be able to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
  • The candidate must be able to use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
  • The candidate must be able to see details of objects less than a few feet away.
  • The position requires access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under those regulations or be eligible for an export license; any offer requiring export-license approval is conditional on the company's ability to obtain it in a timeframe consistent with business requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Design mechanical parts, components, and assemblies, including composite, metallic, and non-metallic parts.
  • Create and review engineering drawings and documents that conform to company and industry drawing standards.
  • Analyze manufacturing tolerances and fabrication methods to help ensure part and assembly manufacturability.
  • Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
  • Specify materials, finishes, and workmanship callouts in accordance with industry specifications.
  • Resolve issues and make recommendations on moderately difficult assignments.
  • Work with engineers and manufacturing personnel to create new designs and drawings, modify existing designs and drawings, document design changes, update bills of materials, and shepherd documents through the configuration management system.
  • Occasional travel may be required.

Desired Qualifications

  • A college degree (Associate's degree or higher), vocational training, or technical-school training in a related discipline is preferred.
  • 15 or more years of related experience in a mechanical design and drafting position is preferred.
  • GD&T certification is preferred.
  • Hands-on design/build UAV experience, especially with lightweight radio-controlled aircraft or other miniature robotics systems, is preferred.
  • Experience with a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system such as Fusion, Agile, Arena, or Windchill is preferred.

About the Company

AeroVironment

Defense technology and unmanned aerial systems

AeroVironment designs and builds robotic systems for defense across air, land, and space, including small reconnaissance drones, high-altitude aircraft, and loitering munitions. These products work by carrying sensors and control software that allow autonomous or semi-autonomous missions, with real-time data collection, and, for weapons-enabled models, a payload and deployment mechanism for precision strikes. The company differentiates itself through a growing, multi-domain defense portfolio built via acquisitions, creating an integrated platform that combines drones with space tech, counter-UAS, and other defense capabilities. Its goal is to become a comprehensive defense-technology provider that can win large, long-term contracts by offering coordinated, autonomous systems across multiple domains.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Crystal City, Virginia
Founded
1971

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