Los Angeles, CA | On-site
I’m working exclusively with an ambitious, well-backed aerospace and defense startup in Los Angeles as they search for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to play a key role in the development of their next-generation hardware.
The company is tackling genuinely difficult engineering problems and moving quickly from concept to reality. As the hardware matures, they're looking for an exceptional mechanical engineer who can bring deep technical expertise and a strong bias toward execution.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity for a builder.
My client is looking for someone who has spent their career designing, developing and delivering complex physical system - great engineering doesn't stop at CAD or analysis.
You'll take ownership of critical mechanical systems from early concept through detailed design, build, integration and test. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, you'll solve challenging problems where performance, reliability, weight and manufacturability all matter.
This is a highly hands-on role with significant technical autonomy. You'll be expected to make consequential engineering decisions, move quickly and see your work become real hardware.
What They're Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring:
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Significant experience designing and delivering complex mechanical hardware.
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A proven track record of taking systems from concept through detailed design, build, integration and test.
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Strong fundamentals across mechanical design, structures, materials and manufacturing.
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Experience operating in demanding engineering environments where performance and reliability matter.
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Excellent technical judgement and an ability to make pragmatic design trade-offs.
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A hands-on approach to problem-solving, comfortable moving between CAD, analysis, the workshop and the test floor.
Experience within aerospace, defense, space or other high-performance hardware environments would be highly relevant.
The Person
More than anything, they're looking for someone with a bias toward shipping.
Someone who understands the difference between a well-designed component and a system that has actually been built, tested and proven to work.
This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of critical hardware within an ambitious aerospace company. You'll be working alongside a team that values technical excellence, pace and getting real things into the world.
If you've built and shipped complex hardware and would be interested in a confidential conversation, I'd be happy to share more.
