Senior Mechanical Engineer - UAV Systems

Senior Mechanical Engineer - UAV Systems

Orqa

Osijek, Croatia

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to design, build, test, and productionize mechanical systems for our high-performance UAV platforms.

In this role, you’ll take technical ownership of hardware from initial concept through flight test and serial production. We value engineers who are genuine builders—people who combine strong mechanical fundamentals with practical engineering judgment, asking "Can we make it lighter? Can we simplify it?" and then proving it through analysis, prototyping, and real-world testing.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own mechanical designs from concept through serial production, including UAV structures, enclosures, mounts, propulsion interfaces, battery systems, and electronics packaging;
• Develop 3D CAD models, complex assemblies, detail drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stack-up analyses;
• Perform structural FEA, vibration/modal, thermal, and fatigue analyses to design lightweight structures optimized for mass, strength, CG, and manufacturability;
• Build and test physical prototypes, participate directly in flight testing, analyze failures, and drive corrective design iterations;
• Apply DFM/DFA principles and collaborate closely with Electronics, Flight Controls, RF, and Manufacturing teams to streamline transition into production;
• Mentor other mechanical engineers, lead technical design reviews, and ensure real-world hardware reliability.

WHAT WE EXPECT

• BSc or MSc in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or a related engineering field;
• 5+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience taking physical products from prototype to production;
• Strong fundamentals in structures, dynamics, materials, heat transfer, and mechanical design;
• Advanced proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, Creo, CATIA) alongside hands-on lab, testing, and prototyping skills;
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, injection molding, composites, additive manufacturing) and production drawings;
• Professional working proficiency in English.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with UAV airframe development, composite structures, or electronics/battery packaging;
• Background in modal, vibration, CFD, thermal, or shock/environmental testing;
• Hands-on experience building, modifying, or flying drones, FPV systems, RC aircraft, robots, or Formula Student vehicles;
• Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing and PLM/PDM systems.