Mechanical Engineering Team Lead

This is a hands-on leadership role within the kinetic interception team, where the Team Leader will lead the mechanical engineering activities for racer drones used in C-UAS interception. The role combines direct engineering contribution with technical mentoring, work planning, and responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of the team's mechanical designs. The leader will drive the mechanical architecture and technical direction of autonomous racer drones, launchers, and platforms, while overseeing integration, design reviews, and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the mechanical team (recruiting, onboarding, feedback), while planning work and allocating resources to match program milestones and priorities.
• Drive the mechanical architecture and technical direction of autonomous racer drones, launchers, and platforms, remaining hands-on in design, prototyping, integration, and testing.
• Lead design reviews (meeting performance, reliability, safety, cost) and establish strict engineering practices including CAD standards, GD&T, BOMs, ECOs, and PLM workflows.
• Oversee the mechanical integration of electronics, harnesses, and electromechanical components; coordinate structural analysis, design validation, prototype builds, and translate test results into improvements.
• Identify and mitigate technical/schedule risks, and collaborate closely with systems, software, manufacturing, suppliers, operations, and leadership.

Requirements

• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical design experience, with a strong background in defense or aerospace industries
• 2+ years of experience leading or technically mentoring mechanical engineers, including work planning and task prioritization
• Proven track record of delivering complex multidisciplinary products from concept to production readiness, specifically with UAVs/drones (racer/high-performance platforms are a strong advantage).
• Advanced SolidWorks expertise (complex assemblies, drawings, PDM/PLM), strong command of CAD reviews, GD&T, and engineering documentation (BOMs, product trees, ECOs).
• Extensive experience building, troubleshooting, and testing prototypes in a lab/workshop, overseeing mechanical integration of electronics, harnesses, and embedded hardware (launchers/deployment mechanisms are an advantage).
• Ability to perform/coordinate structural analysis and design validation (FEA is a plus), backed by strong communication skills to provide clear technical direction and collaborate cross-functionלי (multidisciplinary work).