Electric Aircraft Powertrain and Performance Engineer

We're looking for an experienced Electric Powertrain and Performance Engineer to join us in developing novel electric fixed-wing drones that achieve real-world ranges and payloads that will read like a typo compared to the competition.

What you'll do :

You’ll join a lean team of engineers in the design and development of (at first) novel drones that fly over water in ground effect, and (later) those that operate with extreme efficiency in all capacities and situations . You’ll take the initiative for technical development of powertrain/propulsion systems and components for both small-scale prototypes and full-scale versions, and be a positive hands-on contributor to the building and testing of hardware that's continually exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

You will obtain and analyze detailed performance data from models, benchtop tests, and field testing (flight data), and verify and validate that data.

You'll develop and use physics-based computer tools to analyze aircraft performance in various mission scenarios - with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency - to help underpin the overall design and development of our products.

You’ll have responsibility for setting (and meeting!) specific and ambitious electric power system requirements for a full craft, and you'll educate your collaborators on the why and the how.

You’ll be a comfortable communicator to different types of internal and external stakeholders - strong emphasis on ability to convey complex content or ideas with effective visuals.

Who you are :

You love airplanes.

Experience

Minimum 3 years in a private industry/applied R&D setting working on design and development of electrified mobility systems, preferably from the conceptual through to real hardware deployment.

Specific electric aviation powertrain experience is valued, but equivalent expertise (e.g. automotive) that has good crossover works too.

You have direct personal experience in – and passion for - prototyping and very rapid incremental testing and development of systems.

You're comfortable with Matlab and Python, or are excited to learn quickly based on your other prior experience with other codes.

You have led or mentored other engineers in some professional capacity, and have experience managing your own work or a small team to successful completion of milestones.

Desirable: working self-sufficiently with suppliers and vendors.

Your approach to work

You have a commitment to quality when it comes to generating and analyzing data. Attention to detail while also still moving fast and often adapting to change.

Vibrant curiosity; you take a keen interest in the product and the tools and processes you use, to continually improve the work of the whole company and deepen your own knowledge and capability.

Extremely high levels of self-motivation – this is a small team that requires everyone to take the initiative, even if it’s in areas outside their comfort zone

You have the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with empathy, and with a particular emphasis on visual communication.

Education

Bachelors or higher degree in electrical engineering, or aerospace/aeronautical/mechanical/strongly related field.

You must also :

Have the existing right to work in the US (we are not supporting new visas at this time unless you are a Canadian or Australian citizen)

Be able to start work with us inside 8 weeks from offer accepted.

Be available for full time work on-site in Carson, Los Angeles (remote work flexibility will be available once you are up and running but this is majority in-person – we have flying machines to build!)

Who We Are

Seaflight is a company on a mission to accelerate an electric and equitable future for flight. And we’re doing it with friendly robots! We design, build, test and manufacture uncrewed (drone) electric flying machines to deliver cargo with world-beating aerodynamic efficiency.

We celebrate differences and are committed to a diverse workplace that fosters inclusion for employees from different backgrounds and experiences. You see sentences like that that a lot, so here’s the most obvious real example - sure, we’re dealing with small number statistics right now, but our current workforce is 50% female and features citizens of 4 different countries.

Benefits

Flexible time off (just need manager approval)

Employee equity

Health insurance: medical, vision, dental, short-term disability, and life

Relocation assistance

Flexible hours (deliverable-based goals)

Personal recognition for your work through technical publishing, social media features, industry events