{"id":785801,"url":"https://alion.io/job/performance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer","title":"Junior Mechanical Engineer","company":{"id":176596,"name":"Performance Drone Works","domain":"pdw.ai","url":"https://alion.io/company/performance-drone-works","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Rippling","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":95,"open_postings":17,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":82,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"junior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Huntsville, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":60000,"max_usd":109000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":4038},"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"SolidWorks","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-11T20:43:03Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-11","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T19:39:15Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":39,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":[],"days_open":38},"description":"Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.\nYou will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country.\nNow, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for a Junior Mechanical Engineer to help develop drones, payloads, and supporting hardware from concept through production. This role is intended for a recent graduate or early-career engineer who can complete defined engineering tasks with increasing independence while receiving guidance and design review from experienced engineers. You will spend time in CAD, build and test hardware, document results, and work directly with manufacturing and other engineering disciplines.\nWhatYou’llDo\nDesign mechanical components and simple assemblies for drones, payloads, and supporting systems with guidance from experienced engineers.\nCreate and revise 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, BOMs, and other design documentation.\nCreate and compare design concepts, perform supporting calculations, and communicate key tradeoffs.\nBuild, assemble, and troubleshoot prototypes using 3D printing, machining, and other fabrication methods.\nExecute defined test plans, analyze results and failures, and document recommended design improvements.\nDesign test fixtures, assembly jigs, and other tooling for engineering and manufacturing use.\nApply DFM, DFA, and tolerance-analysis fundamentals with review from senior team members.\nCollaborate with electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams and support the transition of products into production.\nRequirements\nBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical field.\nZero to two years of professional experience in mechanical or electromechanical product development; relevant co-op or internship experience is valued.\nProficiency in 3D CAD modeling using SolidWorks or similar software.\nWorking knowledge of engineering drawings, mechanical design fundamentals, and common manufacturing processes.\nHands-on ability to build, inspect, test, and troubleshoot mechanical hardware.\nAbility to complete defined tasks with regular guidance, incorporate design feedback, and communicate technical work clearly.\nStrong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively across engineering and manufacturing teams.\nMust have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. \nPreferred\nSolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM experience.\nExperience creating production-quality engineering drawings, including GD&T and tolerance analysis.\nExperience with 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, composites, or other fabrication and manufacturing processes.\nExperience with UAVs, robotics, RC aircraft, race vehicles, rockets, or other high-performance hardware.\nA portfolio, project page, or photos of hardware you have designed and built are encouraged.\nProfessional experience as a Mechanical Engineer, co-op, or intern \nPhysical Requirements\nThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 50 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard machine shop equipment as well as standard office equipment. Must be physically capable of tolerating loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE).\nWork Environment\nThis position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE) and may require occasional travel to test sites/customer locations/supplier facilities. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast-paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team-based responsibilities. Standard works hours for this position are 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.\nBenefits\nPDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:\nComprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.\nSafe Harbor 401(K) with company match.\nPaid Parental Leave.\nOn-site gym at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations. \nEmployer provided life insurance.\nRobust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).\nA work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.\nCompetitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.\nEEO Statement\nPDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6066,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Life insurance","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Drones & UAVs","Military Drones"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-12T01:54:31Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 1","filings_12m":1,"filings_prev_12m":2,"green_card_filings_12m":0,"median_offered_wage_usd":302500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":77,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.857,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":38,"expected_fill_days":82,"reasons":["conf:3","velocity","win:mid","comp:junior"],"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/performance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/performance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-20T20:50:59Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":24238,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-21T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":176596},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=176596"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fperformance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fperformance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fperformance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/performance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fperformance-drone-works-junior-mechanical-engineer"}]}