Product Design Manager | Fixed-Wing UAS | Onsite | California
Are you a hands-on engineering leader who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while building high-performing teams?
We're supporting a rapidly growing autonomous aerospace company developing the next generation of unmanned aircraft systems. Following continued investment and significant commercial success, they're expanding their engineering organisation to deliver an exciting new fixed-wing UAS platform.
This is an opportunity to join a flagship programme operating with the pace, ownership and innovation of a startup, while benefiting from the backing, stability and resources of an established technology business.
The Opportunity
As Product Design Manager, you'll lead a multidisciplinary Product Design Engineering team responsible for developing a next-generation autonomous aircraft from concept through to production.
This is not a role for someone who wants to step away from engineering. The team is looking for a technical leader who remains hands-on with product development, enjoys working closely with engineers, and is passionate about delivering world-class aerospace products. You'll play a key role in defining product architecture, making critical engineering decisions, mentoring engineers, and collaborating across multiple disciplines to bring a brand-new aircraft platform into production.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
- Significant experience developing complex aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems or other highly engineered products.
- Proven experience leading engineering teams while remaining technically hands-on.
- Demonstrated success taking hardware from concept through prototype, validation, manufacturing and production.
- Strong understanding of mechanical system design, product architecture and multidisciplinary engineering.
- Experience designing complex mechanical assemblies using 3D CAD (CATIA preferred, although equivalent CAD packages will be considered).
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes including CNC machining, sheet metal, castings, composites and injection moulding.
Preferred Experience
- Aerospace, UAV/UAS, eVTOL or autonomous vehicle experience.
- Development of flight hardware or safety-critical systems.
- New Product Introduction (NPI) leadership.
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA).
Why Join?
- Lead the development of a flagship fixed-wing autonomous aircraft programme.
- Join a high-growth engineering organisation with long-term investment and ambitious product plans.
- Work alongside exceptional engineers solving some of the most challenging problems in autonomous aerospace.
- Influence technical strategy, product architecture and engineering direction from an early stage.
- Operate with genuine ownership while remaining close to the engineering and product.
If you're interested in learning more, or would like a confidential discussion, please apply or contact me directly.
