Mechanical Engineer - Dropship (Multiple Levels)

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a highly skilled Mechanical Engineer to join our cargo aircraft team. In this role, you will lead the mechanical design and integration of key aircraft components. Your work will span from detailed CAD design to structural analysis, prototyping, and testing - all while collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and assemblies with consideration for aircraft environments and performance.
• Perform basic structural and stress analysis (hand calculations and FEA) to validate designs.
• Apply GD&T and appropriate tolerancing to ensure manufacturability and proper assembly.
• Generate detailed 3D CAD models and engineering drawings (SolidWorks preferred).
• Support structural integration of components into composite and metallic airframe structures.
• Design basic tooling and fixtures to support prototyping and testing.
• Lead hands-on prototyping, assembly, and testing of mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with aeromechanical, propulsion, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust requirement definition and collaboration across systems.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor junior engineers as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 3+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably in aerospace or high-performance vehicle environments.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks highly preferred), including modeling of complex assemblies.
• Solid understanding of structural design principles and material properties.
• Experience with basic stress analysis, both analytical (hand calcs) and FEA (e.g., SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS).
• Practical knowledge of tolerancing, fits, and GD&T.
• Experience with component integration into airframes or structural assemblies.
• Comfortable with hands-on prototyping, fabrication, and testing.
• Effective communicator and team collaborator with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with composite materials and bonded structures.
• Familiarity with aviation industry standards and certification practices.
• Prior experience designing for lightweight, high-strength applications.
• Experience designing tooling or fixtures for small-scale production or testing environments.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Compensation & Benefits

• $101,000-$180,000 per year base salary + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
• Equity
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA with employer matching
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks