Mechanical Engineering Lead – UAV Structures & System Integration

About the role

As Mechanical Engineering Team Lead, you will take end‑to‑end responsibility for the mechanical design, integration, and validation of UAV platforms and ground systems. This includes the development of composite structures as well as the mechanical and environmental integration of electronic systems, such as housings, connectors, mounting concepts, and protection against environmental influences. You will lead the mechanical engineering discipline across product development, working closely with electronics, software, and systems engineering. In this role, you will build and grow a capable mechanical engineering team, define design standards and processes, and ensure high quality from early concept through integration, testing, and production readiness.

Your responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a mechanical engineering team covering structures, integration, and system-level mechanical design
• Act as the primary technical authority for mechanical engineering topics within the organization
• Define responsibilities, processes, and interfaces within the mechanical discipline
• Ensure consistent engineering quality, documentation, and design ownership

Structures & Composite Design

• Define and own mechanical concepts and architectures for UAV structures, including composite airframes and structural components
• Oversee design and analysis of composite parts, including material selection, layup concepts, and structural considerations
• Ensure designs meet requirements for strength, stiffness, weight, durability, and manufacturability
• Support the transition from prototype to production-ready composite structures

Mechanical Integration of Electronic Systems

• Own the mechanical integration of electronic systems, including: 
  • Enclosures and housings
  • Mounting and fastening concepts
  • Connectors, cabling paths, and strain relief
  • Thermal and vibration considerations
• Define solutions for environmental protection, including sealing, ingress protection, and protection against temperature, vibration, and contamination
• Ensure mechanical designs support serviceability, assembly, and maintenance

Integration, Testing & Quality

• Drive mechanical integration from component to system level, ensuring proper fit, form, and function
• Define and oversee mechanical testing activities, including: 
  • Structural testing
  • Vibration and environmental testing
  • Integration and assembly validation
• Ensure traceable documentation of design decisions, analyses, and test results
• Establish quality standards for mechanical design and verification

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with: 
  • Electronics engineering on PCB, enclosure, and connector integration
  • Software and systems engineering on functional and spatial requirements
  • Manufacturing partners on feasibility, tooling, and production
• Contribute to system-level trade‑offs involving weight, performance, cost, and reliability

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience
• Strong professional experience in mechanical design for complex technical systems
• Proven experience with composite structures and lightweight mechanical design
• Solid background in: 
  • Mechanical system architecture
  • CAD design and technical drawing
  • Mechanical integration and tolerance management
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers, or acting as a technical lead
• Quality-oriented, structured working style with strong ownership mindset
• Fluency in English and strong technical communication skills

Strong Plus

• Experience in UAVs, aerospace, robotics, or high-performance mechanical systems
• Experience with: 
  • Environmental protection (IP ratings, sealing concepts)
  • Vibration and shock considerations
  • Thermal management for electronics
• Familiarity with production constraints and scaling from prototype to series
• Exposure to regulated or safety‑relevant industries

What we offer

• End‑to‑end ownership of structures and mechanical system integration
• Strong focus on composites and electronics integration
• Close collaboration with electronics, software, and systems engineering
• Combination of hands‑on design expertise and team leadership