Fruition Group
Director of Mechanical Engineering
Fruition Group, California, Missouri, United States, 65018
My client is seeking a
Director of Mechanical Structures
to lead the design, analysis, and development of airframe structures for their UAV and hybrid‑electric aircraft programs. This senior leadership role will define structural architecture, oversee materials and manufacturing strategies, and ensure structural integrity, safety, and certification compliance. The Director will lead a growing team of structural engineers and collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls, and certification teams to deliver high‑performance, lightweight, and manufacturable aircraft structures.
Responsibilities
Lead and grow the mechanical structures team, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and career development.
Define structural design philosophy, architecture, and material selection for UAV and hybrid‑electric aircraft programs.
Oversee stress analysis, load paths, finite element modeling, and structural validation testing.
Drive airframe integration with propulsion, avionics, flight controls, and other aircraft systems.
Ensure structural designs meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements, including aerospace certification standards (ARP4754B, Part 23/27/29, DO‑254).
Collaborate with manufacturing, test, and supply chain teams to ensure producible, scalable, and cost‑effective structures.
Establish engineering processes, design standards, and best practices for structural development.
Represent the mechanical structures function to executive leadership, partners, and regulatory authorities.
Requirements
Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in aerospace structural design, analysis, and testing, including leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
Proven track record of developing UAV, eVTOL, or regional aircraft structures from concept through certification.
Expertise in composite and metallic airframe design, stress analysis, load calculations, and FEA tools (e.g., Nastran, Abaqus, CATIA).
Deep understanding of systems integration and multidisciplinary trade‑offs between structures, aerodynamics, and propulsion.
Familiarity with aerospace certification processes (ARP4754B, Part 23/27/29, DO‑254) and safety‑critical design requirements.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills in high‑complexity technical environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with hybrid‑electric aircraft, eVTOL/eSTOL, or advanced air mobility platforms.
Hands‑on experience with rapid prototyping, structural testing, and flight validation.
Knowledge of manufacturability, assembly processes, and supply chain considerations for aircraft structures.
Track record of scaling engineering teams during rapid growth phases.
Strong analytical and decision‑making skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and technical challenges.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Mechanical Structures
to lead the design, analysis, and development of airframe structures for their UAV and hybrid‑electric aircraft programs. This senior leadership role will define structural architecture, oversee materials and manufacturing strategies, and ensure structural integrity, safety, and certification compliance. The Director will lead a growing team of structural engineers and collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls, and certification teams to deliver high‑performance, lightweight, and manufacturable aircraft structures.
Responsibilities
Lead and grow the mechanical structures team, providing mentorship, technical guidance, and career development.
Define structural design philosophy, architecture, and material selection for UAV and hybrid‑electric aircraft programs.
Oversee stress analysis, load paths, finite element modeling, and structural validation testing.
Drive airframe integration with propulsion, avionics, flight controls, and other aircraft systems.
Ensure structural designs meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements, including aerospace certification standards (ARP4754B, Part 23/27/29, DO‑254).
Collaborate with manufacturing, test, and supply chain teams to ensure producible, scalable, and cost‑effective structures.
Establish engineering processes, design standards, and best practices for structural development.
Represent the mechanical structures function to executive leadership, partners, and regulatory authorities.
Requirements
Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in aerospace structural design, analysis, and testing, including leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
Proven track record of developing UAV, eVTOL, or regional aircraft structures from concept through certification.
Expertise in composite and metallic airframe design, stress analysis, load calculations, and FEA tools (e.g., Nastran, Abaqus, CATIA).
Deep understanding of systems integration and multidisciplinary trade‑offs between structures, aerodynamics, and propulsion.
Familiarity with aerospace certification processes (ARP4754B, Part 23/27/29, DO‑254) and safety‑critical design requirements.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills in high‑complexity technical environments.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with hybrid‑electric aircraft, eVTOL/eSTOL, or advanced air mobility platforms.
Hands‑on experience with rapid prototyping, structural testing, and flight validation.
Knowledge of manufacturability, assembly processes, and supply chain considerations for aircraft structures.
Track record of scaling engineering teams during rapid growth phases.
Strong analytical and decision‑making skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and technical challenges.
#J-18808-Ljbffr