Principal Aircraft Design Engineer

Join to apply for the Principal Aircraft Design Engineer role at Atropos GroupAbout UsWe’re a combat-tested group of engineers, operators, and entrepreneurs who believe America’s edge depends on autonomous airpower that’s trusted and deployable today not in 2040. Backed by tier-one investors, we’ve secured the runway - financial, regulatory, and literal - to move at startup speed while tackling a national-security mission that matters. We’ve structured the company for radical ownership: no silos, no “systems integrator” overhead, just tightly knit mission-focused IPTs that live and breathe the hardware and code they ship. If you thrive where hard-tech ambition meets national-security urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else.What’s In It For YouMission With a Pulse. Every line of code, bracket, or test you deliver expands the toolbox of the warfighter on Day 1 of a conflict.Resources Without Red Tape. VC speed + DoD customer pull: access to test ranges, flight hours, and operator feedback while retaining startup agility.Career-Defining Upside. Significant equity, best-in-class benefits, and the chance to see your product deliver in months, not decades.What You’ll DoLead the technical execution of new air vehicle systems design, fabrication, test and productization of unmanned aerial systems.Lead the long term functional engineering team development roadmap to ensure we have the skillsets, capabilities and workflows to enable successful execution of current and future programs.Own the technical success and meet deliverable timelines in all phases of development.Establish a center of excellence in air vehicle design that includes a library of standards, allowables, and tool sets to build upon.Find, hire, manage, and mentor the team of internal and external subject matter experts, and communicate that vision to them.Partner closely with the business lines in areas of proposal capture, customer interface, resource planning, capital expenditures and program schedules.Partner closely with additional stakeholder disciplines that are not under you direct organizational leadership; these include but are not limited to manufacturing, supply chain, energetics, mission systems integrations, GNC, Flight test and evaluation.Manage the detailed design of the system and subsystems including requirements development, sub-system trades and optimization, risk management to ensure the appropriate consideration of design key performance parameters, schedule, costs and risks.Own the overall model/drawing/documentation package required for initial build and effective production transition.Work with senior leadership to ensure resource plans are adequate.What You’ll BringDeep understanding and previous systems leadership of unmanned aerial weapon systems in major defense acquisitions programs (i.e. Group 5 UAS).Early previous baseline experience in any of the following disciplines you will be managing.10+ years of real experience in a senior role leading air vehicle programs from initial concept through test and delivery to customers.Experience in mission engineering driving vehicle and systems design.Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Software engineering, or equivalent experience in a relevant field.Experience in building teams from 0 to 1, and leading teams in fast-paced programs.Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.Bonus PointsExperience in start-up, or equivalent fast paced culture.Experience in end-to-end aircraft development, from design through certification.Why You’ll Love Working Here (Compensation And Benefits)Base Salary: $180,000 to 250,000 USDBenefitsThe salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Atropos/' total compensation package. Additionally, Atropos offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:Platinum Healthcare Benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with 100% employer-paid premiumsBasic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance 100% covered by Atropos, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependentsUnlimited PTO, with minimum of 15 days enforced20 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness LeaveFamily Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility, adoption, and gestational carrier coverageMental Health Resources: free mental health resources 24/7Tuition and professional development reimbursement for STEM, MBA, and licensesDaily Lunch cateredCompany-funded child care stipendCompany-funded commuter benefits available based on regionRelocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)401(k) retirement savings plan - traditional and Roth 401(k). 6% employer matchingThe recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details during the hiring process.Atropos is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17