Mechanical Product Design Engineer
Palo Alto, CA
Engineering – Aeromechanical Engineering /
Full-time (Exempt) /
On-site
Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
The Aeromechanical team at Pivotal is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Mechanical Product Design Engineer to join our team. This role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing lightweight, high-performance mechanical systems for our innovative light eVTOL aircraft. We are looking for a versatile engineer with broad design experience across various aerospace or automotive products, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked on UAVs or manned aerial platforms.
Responsibilities
- Design and development of mechanical systems for an eVTOL aircraft, ensuring designs meet performance, weight, cost, and safety requirements.
- Utilize 3Dexperience and CATIA to create detailed designs, generate manufacturing drawings, and support production processes.
- Contribute to the design of composite structures, including laminate structures, with a preference for candidates experienced in this area.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems with avionics, propulsion, and other subsystems.
- Conduct detailed analysis of designs, including stress analysis, thermal management, and failure mode analysis, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to source materials, define specifications, and oversee production processes, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
- Support testing and validation efforts, analyzing data and implementing design improvements to enhance product reliability and performance.
- Develop and maintain design standards, documentation, and best practices for mechanical systems.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, materials, and manufacturing techniques, applying this knowledge to drive innovation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- Up to 3 years of experience designing products in the aerospace or automotive industry.
- Broad design experience, with a proven track record of working on a variety of products. Experience with UAVs or manned aerial platforms is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in CAD CATIA and experience creating detailed manufacturing drawings.
- Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including stress analysis, thermal management, and material selection.
- Experience working with lightweight materials, including composites, with a preference for candidates familiar with laminate structures.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver innovative solutions.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with composite laminate structure design and manufacturing processes.
- Knowledge of UAV or eVTOL systems and their unique challenges.
- Familiarity with aviation industry standards and certification processes (e.g., FAA, EASA).
- Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
Attributes aligned with Core Values
- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress
- Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate
$110,000 - $150,000 a year
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
