Director, Mechanical Systems X-BAT
Core
Lead mechanical systems and test organization for autonomous aircraft (X-BAT) and Group 5 programs, overseeing design, integration, and flight readiness.
Role type
Director, Mechanical Systems (Aerospace)
Builds
Autonomous aircraft mechanical systems (landing gear, wing fold, doors, actuation, hydraulics, environmental control, thermal management)
Domain
Aerospace / Defense
Required skills
Mechanical systems architecture, landing gear design, actuation mechanisms, environmental control, thermal management, engineering management, supplier strategy, systems integration, flight test management, trade studies, risk management
Preferred skills
UAV/autonomous aircraft development, scaling engineering organizations, airworthiness qualification, MIL-HDBK-516/MIL-STD-810 familiarity, prototype-to-production transition, advanced degree, Secret security clearance
Technologies
Hydraulics, environmental control systems, thermal management systems, flight test instrumentation
Responsibilities
Lead mechanical systems and test organization for X-BAT and Group 5 aircraft; Define organizational structure and align resources; Recruit and develop engineering managers and technical leaders; Establish technical strategy and capability roadmaps; Lead aircraft-level architecture and trade studies; Partner with adjacent engineering organizations to resolve interfaces; Oversee execution from design through flight readiness; Build mechanical test capability; Guide hardware development and supplier strategy; Work with manufacturing and flight test leadership; Communicate technical direction to executive leadership and stakeholders