Job Description
An aerospace manufacturer is launching a brand-new prototype lab and is looking for a driven, motivated Senior Build Engineer to join their startup-like environment. You’ll have full ownership of your work, move fast, iterate quickly, and grow with the company as it expands its capabilities and product catalog.
Imagine the “Google of aerospace” at its starting steps, a team revolutionizing how airplanes are designed, built, and tested. This company has acquired multiple aerospace manufacturers, giving you the opportunity to improve processes, integrate diverse technologies, and build in a modern, high-tech prototype lab. This is a high-mix environment, no two days are the same. You’ll directly contribute to redefining aerospace hardware development, shaping products that could fly on aircraft today.
What You’ll Do as a Senior Prototype Engineer:
- Own prototype builds and first-article hardware from concept to finished product.
- Collaborate with design engineers to challenge assumptions and optimize for manufacturability.
- Develop components with integration, performance, and cost as core considerations.
- Support tooling design and create fixtures for assembly and testing.
- Manage documentation, drawings, and BOMs according to aerospace standards.
- Provide DFM feedback and help transition prototypes to production-ready designs.
- Continuously refine prototype processes for efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives across acquired manufacturing facilities.
Who You Are as a Senior Prototype Engineer:
- Exceptionally curious and hands-on, comfortable building, testing, and troubleshooting.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, high-autonomy environment with minimal bureaucracy.
- Able to apply first-principles engineering to simplify designs and solve problems.
- Experienced in mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and materials engineering.
- Proficient in CAD, GD&T, and PLM/PDM systems.
- Comfortable with high-mix, variable workflows — no two days are the same.
- Aerospace or defense hardware experience is a plus.
Why This Role as a Senior Prototype Engineer:
- See your builds fly on real aircraft.
- Work in a high-autonomy, fast-moving prototype lab.
- Help improve processes across multiple aerospace manufacturers.
- Grow with a company revolutionizing aerospace hardware development.
- High-mix environment, no two days are alike.
Eligibility
Due to the nature of the work, the role requires access to ITAR-controlled information. Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizen, permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).
If you would like to have a confidential chat about the position, please contact the recruiter Rabeel Imrane; Rabeel.imrane@rps-recruitment.com, +12133141692 .