The Guts to Try

FlightWave, a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is looking to fill a Sr. Operations Engineer position with a focus on mechanical integration and composites production. We are a dynamic and growing drone technology company focused on the manufacturing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS drones) for use in defense, public safety, and other government security organizations.

This role blends deep hands-on knowledge of composite fabrication with strong experience in mechanical integration, tooling, and production automation. You’ll be at the center of bringing complex drone platforms to life at scale.

Location Note: This role is onsite in Carson, California.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine mechanical assembly processes for structural, mechanical, and electro-mechanical subsystems.
• Design jigs, fixtures, and tooling to support composite fabrication, precision alignment, and repeatable assembly.
• Support integration of composite structures with mechanical hardware, avionics enclosures, and subassemblies.
• Lead implementation of automation and semi-automation tools to improve assembly efficiency and consistency.
• Specify, procure, and support manufacturing equipment
• Develop and optimize composite manufacturing processes, including layup, curing, trimming, and bonding.
• Create and maintain MBOMs, work instructions, build logs, and process documentation.
• Analyze manufacturing workflows and implement improvements for quality, cost, and throughput.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 6+ years of experience in a manufacturing oriented engineering environment
• 3+ years of SolidWorks experience
• Familiarity with CNC programming, motion systems, or light factory automation.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, tolerance stack-ups, and hands-on assembly.
• Experience with production equipment setup, tooling design, and workstation development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in aerospace, robotics, or unmanned systems manufacturing.
• Experience with statistical process qualification tools such as Gage R&R, process capability analysis (Cp, Cpk), SPC, or measurement systems analysis (MSA).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently, including tooling, composite materials, fixtures, and equipment.
• Must be able to stand, walk, and move continuously throughout the production facility for extended periods.
• Ability to kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive hand motions required for composite layup, trimming, bonding, and mechanical assembly tasks.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills required for precise fabrication and tooling work, including handling of small fasteners and alignment tools.
• Visual acuity to inspect composite surfaces, review CAD drawings, and verify fitment/tolerances during integration.
• Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed.
• Capability to operate or assist with manufacturing and automation equipment, including jigs, fixtures, CNC machines, or bonding ovens.
• Must be able to transition between office and production areas, including frequent use of stairs or work platforms.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.