Mechanical Engineer - Irvine, CA

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can't keep up. At Neon Aero, we're breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in w ...

Job description

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can't keep up. At Neon Aero, we're breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.
Here, you won't just take a job — you'll help reinvent how the world flies. If you're ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.
We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to help design and integrate complex mechanical and electromechanical systems powering next-generation hardware—spanning positioning, propulsion, environmental control, and energy management.

This role supports high-performance systems across aerospace, transportation, robotics, and advanced mobility. If you enjoy building real hardware, collaborating across disciplines, and turning requirements into production-ready designs, you'll feel right at home.

This is a hands-on, highly collaborative position focused on developing production-intent hardware. You'll contribute to subsystem architecture, own components and subassemblies, and support programs from concept → validation → production release.

Why This Role Matters:
You'll be directly involved in designing the mechanical building blocks that make complex systems work—helping ensure performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost targets are met.

You will:

• Contribute to mechanical system design and integration across multi-domain programs.
• Own components or subassemblies from concept through production release (with guidance as needed).
• Design and develop mechanical/electromechanical assemblies using Siemens NX (required).
• Apply DFM, DFA, and DFC principles throughout development to set designs up for scale.
• Create production-ready drawings with clear documentation and correct GD&T.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams to support part bring-up, first article builds, and early production.
• Support inspection planning and build a working understanding of IQC, OQC, tolerance stack-up, and production validation fundamentals.
• Participate in prototype builds, testing, root-cause investigations, and design refinements.
• Perform mechanical analysis such as FEA, tolerance analysis, and basic thermal/structural evaluations.
• Participate in design reviews and support system-level performance, reliability, and cost goals.
• Provide hands-on support during assembly, integration, and testing—staying close to the hardware.

What you'll Bring:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience developing mechanical products
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field preferred; relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree
• Proficiency in Siemens NX (required).
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T and drawing release practices.
• Experience supporting parts from prototype through production release.
• Experience with multiple manufacturing processes, such as:
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Die casting
• High-precision machining
• Injection molding or similar scalable processes
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and manufacturing teams.
• Working knowledge of quality fundamentals including inspection processes and basic SPC concepts.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• You execute and deliver—you like finishing work that becomes real hardware.
• Strong fundamentals and practical problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working hands-on in lab and production
• Eager to learn, level up, and take on more ownership over time.
• Able to balance performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost within a defined scope.
• Collaborative mindset with systems awareness and ownership of assigned work.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace or aviation systems exposure.
• Experience in high-performance, fast-iteration environments (automotive, consumer hardware, robotics, etc.).
• Familiarity with environmental testing standards such as DO-160.
• MATLAB or Python for basic analysis/automation.
• Exposure to electric or hybrid propulsion systems.

Why Join Us:

• Work alongside elite engineering talent and innovators from across aerospace and tech.
• Be part of a team moving faster than the industry standard.
• Shape solutions that are lower-cost, autonomous, and scalable — the future of aviation.
• Competitive compensation, including equity participation, growth opportunities, and full heath benefits (health, vision, dental, 401K) designed to support you in and out of work.

This pay range is specific to the location where the role is posted. Final pay will depend on experience, skill level, and other job-related factors.

Location-Specific Pay Range

$110,000—$123,750 USD

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.
At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.