Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion]

Reposted 6 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Long Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
110K-145K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Software
The Role
The role involves designing, analyzing, and integrating propulsion systems, managing prototype builds, and collaborating across teams for hardware development.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Odys

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

About The Role

Odys Aviation is seeking a mid level Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Propulsion Team. In this role, you will design, analyze, and integrate mechanical and thermal systems that support high-power hybrid-electric propulsion, including motors, generators, inverters, turbines and their supporting structures and cooling systems.

You’ll work closely with electrical, manufacturing, test, and flight teams to take hardware from early concept through prototype build, test, and iteration. This is a hands-on role with meaningful ownership and a strong growth path as our propulsion systems mature and move toward production.

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Odys, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

What You’ll Do

  1. Own the mechanical design and integration of propulsion components and subsystems (motors, generators, inverters, turbines, structures and cooling systems)

  2. Drive resolution of real hardware issues discovered during prototype and early production builds

  3. Create and maintain 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, including GD&T and tolerance stackups

  4. Perform DFM/DFA trade studies, balancing weight, cost, thermal performance, reliability, and manufacturability

  5. Work with suppliers and internal teams to assess manufacturing feasibility, refine designs, and rapidly resolve build issues

  6. Support hands-on prototype assembly, integration, and test, including debugging and root cause analysis

  7. Conduct engineering analysis using a mix of hand calculations and FEA to inform design decisions

  8. Implement and refine thermal management strategies (air and/or liquid cooling, heat sinks, TIMs, enclosures, insulation)

  9. Translate test data and build feedback into actionable design improvements

  10. Document designs, analyses, and design changes clearly to support team alignment and future production

What We’re Looking For

  1. B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field

  2. 4+ years of experience in mechanical design of complex systems (or equivalent demonstrated capability)

  3. Experience owning the design of a critical assembly or subsystem from concept through build, test, and iteration

  4. Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and creating production-quality drawings with GD&T

  5. Strong understanding of tolerance stack-ups and real-world fit/integration challenges

  6. Experience designing for a range of manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, additive, etc.)

  7. Hands-on experience building, testing, and troubleshooting hardware

  8. Comfortable working on electromechanical systems (motors, power electronics, rotating machinery, batteries, cooling systems, etc.)

  9. Demonstrated ability to debug issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions

  10. Experience working in fast-paced, iterative hardware development environments

  11. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and bias toward action

  12. Clear communicator who collaborates effectively across multidisciplinary teams

Nice to Have

  1. Experience with propulsion systems or electromechanical systems

  2. Familiarity with rotating machinery, vibration, and structural dynamics considerations

  3. Background in thermal management of high-power systems (liquid cooling, forced air, heat exchangers)

  4. Experience performing thermal and/or structural analysis (FEA, analytical modeling, or CFD)

  5. Experience supporting prototype builds and early production environments

  6. Familiarity with PLM systems (Teamcenter preferred)

  7. Background in aerospace, automotive (EV/powertrain), robotics, or similar high-performance hardware industries

Skills Required

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • 4+ years of experience in mechanical design of complex systems
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD
  • Experience designing for a range of manufacturing processes
  • Hands-on experience building, testing, and troubleshooting hardware
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Long Beach, CA
40 Employees
Year Founded: 2019

What We Do

Odys Aviation designs, develops and manufactures sustainable, technologically advanced VTOL aircraft that solve global challenges for commercial airlines and private operators.

Similar Jobs

K2 Space Corporation Logo K2 Space Corporation

Design Engineer

Defense • Manufacturing
In-Office
Los Angeles, CA, USA
137 Employees
140K-175K Annually

K2 Space Corporation Logo K2 Space Corporation

Design Engineer

Defense • Manufacturing
In-Office
Los Angeles, CA, USA
137 Employees
100K-175K Annually

Zscaler Logo Zscaler

Director of Global AWS Cloud Alliance

Cloud • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
Easy Apply
Remote or Hybrid
San Jose, CA, USA
8697 Employees
182K-260K Annually

Airwallex Logo Airwallex

Sales Development Representative

Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Payments • Business Intelligence • Financial Services • Generative AI
Remote or Hybrid
San Francisco, CA, USA
2200 Employees

Similar Companies Hiring

Outpost Space Thumbnail
Aerospace • Defense
US
24 Employees
Kepler  Thumbnail
Fintech • Software
New York, New York
6 Employees
Onshore Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Software • Financial Services
New York, New York
60 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account