The Guts to Try

FlightWave, a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead our growing hardware development team. We are an innovative drone technology company focused on the design and production of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for defense, public safety, and other government security applications.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone excited to guide a small, high-performing team in the development of cutting-edge aerial systems. You’ll provide technical direction, own team development, and ensure on-time delivery of robust, scalable mechanical designs for flight and ground systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a small team of mechanical engineers, providing mentorship, technical direction, and career development support.
• Oversee the mechanical design of drone airframes, gimbals, enclosures, and related ground control systems.
• Ensure designs are optimized for performance, manufacturability, and durability in demanding field conditions.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with electrical, software, manufacturing, and product teams to meet program requirements.
• Review and approve detailed 3D models, engineering drawings, and documentation (SolidWorks).
• Drive design reviews and peer feedback processes to maintain engineering rigor.
• Manage resource allocation, schedules, and deliverables for multiple overlapping development efforts.
• Contribute directly to prototyping, validation, and debugging of complex systems as needed.
• Support sourcing, vendor qualification, and design for manufacture activities.
• Help define and enforce best practices and development processes within the mechanical team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of industry experience in mechanical design, with at least 2–3 years in a technical leadership or people management role.
• Proven success delivering electro-mechanical products from concept through high-rate production.
• Expert-level proficiency in SolidWorks and mechanical design fundamentals.
• Background in production-focused design including injection molding, machined parts, composites, and DFM/DFA best practices.
• Familiarity with BLDC motors, flexible PCB routing, and motion systems integration.
• Experience developing tools, fixtures, or automation for hardware production and test.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Additional Desired Qualifications -

• Experience designing UAS platforms, multi-axis gimbals, or other flight-critical electromechanical systems.
• Experience flying drones / UAS and a Part107 license.
• Experience implementing new process infrastructure, such as PDM systems and release workflows, drawing template automations, etc.
• Experience working with modern project management tools, both waterfall and agile (MS Project, Smartsheet, Linear, Jira, etc.)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions -

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, as required by hands-on engineering, prototyping, or review activities.
• Adeptness in moving around the office, manufacturing areas, and engineering workspaces.
• Manual dexterity required for assembling prototypes, handling tools, and evaluating mechanical components.
• Visual acuity necessary for interpreting technical drawings, performing detailed inspections, and working with CAD and documentation tools.

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.

Salary: $130-175K with generous annual equity package

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field;

• Proven experience in the design and development of complex systems.

• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks) and FEA tools.

• Strong understanding of materials science, structural analysis, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.

• Experience with manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.

• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations, such as FAA guidelines, is a plus.