Senior Product Engineer

FW ACQUISITION INC•Torrance, CA

1d•$132,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

FlightWave, a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is seeking a Senior Product Engineer to serve as the critical bridge between design intent and production reality. In this role, you will own the product definition and ensure our unmanned drone platforms transition seamlessly from engineering design to repeatable, high-quality manufacturing. You will work at the intersection of Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality—translating innovative designs into manufacturable products that meet our performance, quality, and cost objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
7+ years of product engineering or manufacturing engineering experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electromechanical products
Proven track record of successfully transitioning complex products from design to production
Proficiency in SolidWorks (3D modeling, drawing creation, assemblies)
Experience with Arena PLM or similar PLM systems
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes
Deep knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for assembly
Familiarity with aerospace quality standards and practices
Ability to lift 50lbs
Standing for long periods of time
Ability to work in different environments and heat
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
Experience with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drone technology
Knowledge of AS9100 or similar aerospace quality management systems
Experience with FAA regulations and certification processes for unmanned aircraft
Background in New Product Introduction (NPI) processes
Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification

Responsibilities

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Partner with the Design Engineering team to ensure manufacturable designs are released, providing DFM expertise throughout the product development cycle
Review and approve engineering designs across multiple drone platforms, ensuring compatibility with manufacturing processes including composite layup, 3D printing, injection molding, PCB assembly, electromechanical assembly, and motor integration
Conduct design reviews and provide technical feedback to prevent downstream manufacturing and quality issues
Drive design improvements that reduce cost, improve quality, and enhance manufacturability
Product Release & Documentation
Contribute the product definition in SolidWorks and Arena PLM, ensuring complete and accurate documentation
Manage all Engineering Change Order (ECO) activity for assigned products, coordinating cross-functional review and implementation
Ensure BOMs, drawings, assembly instructions, and specifications are complete, accurate, and manufacturing-ready
Maintain configuration control and product data integrity throughout the product lifecycle
First Article & Production Transition
Coordinate and lead first article builds, working hands-on manufacturing team to validate designs and processes
Identify and resolve manufacturing issues during prototyping and production ramp
Develop and refine assembly processes, tooling requirements, and work instructions
Support qualification testing and certification activities
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as the primary technical interface between Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality
Work closely with Manufacturing Engineers to optimize production processes and resolve technical issues
Partner with Supply Chain to evaluate supplier capabilities, support vendor selection, and resolve component-related issues
Collaborate with Quality team to address non-conformances, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve product quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and streamline production processes
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for product-related issues
Drive standardization and best practices across product platforms