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Swift Engineering

Designs unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles

Project Engineer - Composites Manufacturing

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/25/2026
$90k - $130k/yr+ 401(k) match
Mid
Bachelor's
San Clemente, CA, USA
In PersonPrimarily office and shop environment; travel expected.
Mechanical EngineeringDesign Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent combination of other degrees and experience.
  • Three to five years of experience in composites and other lightweight-structures design, mechanical design, aircraft design, or composite manufacturing processes and tool design.
  • Fundamental mathematics and physics knowledge.
  • Understanding of engineering disciplines including mechanics of materials, mechanics, and fluid dynamics.
  • Proficiency with computer-aided design tools, preferably SolidWorks and CATIA V5.
  • Proficiency with Excel, Word, Outlook, and Microsoft Project.
  • Working familiarity with the company's programs and systems.
  • Must be a U.S. Person under ITAR requirements.
Responsibilities
  • Design products and parts.
  • Design tools and jigs.
  • Perform engineering calculations and analysis.
  • Create engineering reports and presentations.
  • Create internal specifications and procedures.
  • Establish product structures, including items, bills of materials, routings, customer specification summaries, and manufacturing aids, in the company's ERP/MRP system according to operating procedures.
  • Communicate changes and deviations to Manufacturing by releasing revisions, redlines, and Engineering Orders through Senior Engineers.
  • Develop ply patterns and create cut files.
  • Manufacture parts and assemblies.
  • Support Quality Assurance.
  • Create or support product and project estimates.
  • Review customer specifications.
  • Write proposals.
  • Review contracts and contract changes or purchase orders.
  • Manage build-to-print projects as required, including establishing master schedules; coordinating, monitoring, and adjusting schedules with other departments; coordinating with shipping and receiving to ensure materials arrive with required documentation; coordinating first-article inspections with Quality Assurance; and interfacing with customers.
Desired Qualifications
  • A background in composite materials, aircraft design, or vehicle dynamics.

About the company

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

Grant

Total Funding

$1.6M

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.