Full-Time

UAV Mechanical Engineer

Updated on 9/12/2026

Swift Engineering

Swift Engineering

51-200 employees

Designs unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles

Compensation Overview

$130k - $150k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

San Clemente, CA, USA

In Person

Periodic travel is expected, including occasional weekend or evening work.

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
CAD
SolidWorks

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Requirements
  • A B.S. in Mechanical Engineering is required.
  • At least 5 years of UAV-related experience or experience in aerospace or similar high-performance systems is required.
  • Strong experience designing mechanisms and structural components is required.
  • Familiarity with 3-D printing techniques is required.
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks for mechanical design and documentation is required.
  • Familiarity with composite materials and composite manufacturing processes is required.
  • Must be able to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced engineering environment.
  • Must be a U.S. Person to satisfy ITAR requirements due to the company's contracts.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop mechanical structures and mechanisms for UAV platforms.
  • Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks.
  • Design airframe components, mounts, mechanisms, and structural assemblies.
  • Support composite structure design, including material selection and layup concepts.
  • Work closely with manufacturing to ensure design for manufacturability and assembly.
  • Collaborate with aerodynamics, electrical, avionics, and systems engineering teams.
  • Support structural analysis, tolerance analysis, and design trade studies.
  • Assist with prototype builds, ground testing, and flight testing.
  • Perform troubleshooting and iterative design improvements based on test results.
  • Maintain mechanical documentation and configuration control.
Desired Qualifications
  • A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
  • Experience with composite airframes and lightweight structures.
  • Familiarity with UAV integration, ground testing, and flight test support.
  • Experience with aerospace materials, fasteners, and structural bonding techniques.
  • Knowledge of structural testing and validation methods.

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

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

San Clemente, California

Founded

1983

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Simplify Jobs

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.