Full-Time

Engineer – Structures Design

Posted on 7/31/2025

Otto Aviation

Otto Aviation

51-200 employees

Aerospace firm engineering laminar-flow, efficient aircraft

No salary listed

Remote in USA

Remote

Category
Engineering Management (3)
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Requirements
  • B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
  • 4+ years of aerospace structural design experience
  • Strong knowledge of fixed wing, composite structural design and systems integration
  • Understanding of composite materials and manufacturing processes
  • Experience in aircraft level development programs
  • Familiarity of FAR Part 23 and Part 25 certification requirements pertinent to structural design, analysis, and manufacturing
  • Advanced knowledge of Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing
  • Proficiency in Design for Manufacturability methodologies
  • Overall knowledge of mechanical systems, propulsion, furnishings/interiors, and other key structural interfaces
  • Advanced proficiency with CATIA V5/V6/3DX along with Dassault Composites Workbench
  • Experience in Enovia or 3DX PLM systems
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to closely coordinate with manufacturing to support MRB activities
  • Experience managing supplier relationships
  • Preferred experience in manned aircraft prototype environments
  • Preferred ability to guide and mentor junior engineers
Responsibilities
  • Develop and progress clean sheet structural designs throughout the conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, assembly/integration, flight test, and certification phases.
  • Take ownership of an aircraft zone and show compliance for relevant 14 CFR Part 23, Part 25, and internal design/marketing requirements.
  • Perform multi-disciplinary trade studies to meet all aircraft requirements and optimize KVIs.
  • Develop and author company standard processes and procedures relevant to structural design.
  • Lead the development of company design tools and composite/metallic design best practices.
  • Collaborate with and oversee key structural suppliers and partners.
  • Individually prioritize design tasks and delegate to junior engineers.
  • Interface with structural analysis, aircraft systems, testing/certification, and manufacturing teams to meet all design commitments while promoting a collaborative environment.
  • Coordinate with cross functional teams to define and validate structural interfaces with adjacent systems and structures.
  • Support both prototype and production vehicle development while understanding the variations in respective design and manufacturing methodologies.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of PLM tools.
  • Provide technical oversight and mentorship of junior engineers.
Desired Qualifications

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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