Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer

Job Summary: The Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer position leads the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced mechanical components and assemblies for Hera Technologies’ industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS). The engineer will work hands-on with TPS soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes, supporting the full lifecycle from concept and design through prototyping, manufacturing, and production. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, performance optimization, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards. Ideal candidates bring a strong foundation in mechanical design and manufacturing, with practical experience in advanced materials and ruggedized hardware applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies for Hera’s industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS), including soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement scalable manufacturing and assembly processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards.
• Create and maintain process documentation and controls to support consistent production outcomes and optimize throughput across design, prototyping, and manufacturing phases.
• Utilize traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques for metallics, composites, and other materials used in thermal protection systems and critical aerospace structures, ensuring performance, durability, and production scalability.
• Prototype and test advanced materials-including carbon fiber composites, high-temperature elastomers, and reinforced fabrics-iterating based on performance data and failure analysis.
• Investigate material failures, process anomalies, and manufacturing defects by leading root cause analyses to implement corrective actions in both development and production phases.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience, with emphasis on metallic, composites and thermal protection systems (TPS).
• Proven leadership in engineering projects involving design, prototyping, and production of mechanical systems, including soft goods and polymer-based components.
• Hands-on experience with advanced materials and mechanical components in aerospace or defense applications, including TPS and engineered surface finishes.
• Strong understanding of elastomer and composite manufacturing processes, material properties, and relevant aerospace testing standards.
• Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) with the ability to produce high-quality, production-ready engineering drawings.
• Solid foundation in engineering principles including structures, materials science, thermal management, and mechanical system design.
• Skilled in prototyping and fabrication techniques such as machining, composite layups, bonding and mechanical assembly.
• Expertise in creating manufacturing and build plans/procedures for variety of customer products and assemblies with respect to industry standards or customer supplied specifications.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in SolidWorks or similar CAD/CAM tools, with experience using PLM systems to manage design and production workflows.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, with demonstrated ability to apply tolerancing principles in aerospace-grade engineering drawings.
• Advanced design experience across CNC machining, composites, ceramics, sheet metal, and injection molding, including tooling and mold development for high-performance applications.
• Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills in cross-functional engineering environments, including collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and program teams.
• Familiarity with qualification campaigns for aerospace and defense hardware, including ruggedized systems and TPS components.
• Experience designing for harsh environments, ensuring durability, thermal resilience, and mechanical integrity under extreme conditions.
• Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher), or the ability to obtain one based on eligibility. This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
• Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.
• May require use of PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, in accordance with Cal/OSHA safety standards.
• Occasional travel to supplier or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.
• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English.

Job Details

FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt)

Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000

Business Hours: Core Business hours (flexibility to support project needs beyond standard times)

Reports to: Engineering Manager

Base Location: Irvine, CA with travel to Ontario, CA or other Canopy A&D US operations based on business needs

Travel: Up to 10%