Job Title: Mechanical Engineer - Powertrain
Company: Grid.aero
Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA]

About Grid.aero

Grid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense and commercial applications. Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we solve hard operational problems at the intersection of autonomy, resilient logistics, and scalable air mobility. We move quickly, operate with urgency, and build systems designed for real-world deployment where small teams own meaningful problems end-to-end.

Read this, we mean it → Above all, we look for exceptional builders with deep internal drive, massive throughput, hopeless optimism, and a relentless growth mindset. The people who thrive at Grid operate with urgency, learn quickly, adapt fast, and are energized by hard problems with no obvious answers. We value individuals who continuously push themselves and the team around them to improve.

This is an opportunity to work on products with national and global impact alongside a collaborative team that values technical excellence, execution, and mission focus.

Role Overview:
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer - Powertrain to join our team and support the development of powertrain systems for our family of autonomous cargo aircraft. This role is critical to the success of our current and future programs and will have significant ownership over powertrain architecture, integration, and testing.

As a key contributor on a small, highly technical team, you’ll work closely with experienced aerospace founders and engineers to design, build, and validate reliable aircraft powertrain systems. You’ll have hands-on involvement across the full lifecycle—from concept and analysis through ground and flight test—while helping establish engineering best practices as the company grows.

If you’re excited about solving hard problems, working close to real hardware, and shaping a system that directly enables flight, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do:

Scope: You will design and develop aircraft powertrain systems, including gearboxes, mounts, cooling, lubrication, intake/exhaust, accessories, and controls.
Collaborate: You will work cooperatively with an incredibly talented and kind team of systems, aerodynamic, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to identify, simplify, and solve complex problems.
Design: You will generate practical, lightweight, and reliable designs for powertrain systems. Using first-principle and advanced engineering analysis methods as required, you will evaluate system performance.
Build: You will specify, source, procure, fabricate, assemble, and integrate powertrain systems.
Test: You will define, set up, execute, and report ground and flight tests to ensure designs meet functional, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Document and Communicate: You will document and communicate your engineering with models, technical drawings, design reviews, and reports.
Support: You will support powertrain systems through production and into flight test to ensure the aircraft remains operationally available and continuously provides valuable mechanical engineering data.
Improve: You will generate and maintain standard operating procedures for mechanical engineering across the product lifecycle.

Key Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. A Master's degree is a plus
4-7 years of experience in aerospace mechanical engineering, preferably with exposure to designing, building, testing, certifying, and/or operating internal diesel combustion engines, and/or powertrain systems
Proficiency with CAD/PLM software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, 3DExperience, or similar) for designing and maintaining mechanical parts, assemblies, and installations
Proficiency with mechanical engineering principles including statics and dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, tribology, controls, reliability, and manufacturing
Experience with classical and advanced methods for mechanical, thermal, and fluid analysis
Knowledge of conventional and advanced materials, processes, and hardware
Knowledge of domestic and military certification processes
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment

Compensation: $120k - $160k / 0.1 - 0.2% Equity

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Grid.aero is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Legal Notice:

Grid.aero is committed to complying with U.S. export control laws. Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).