Actuate Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT THE JOB
As an Actuation Engineer, you will design, develop, and integrate the actuation systems that bring this autonomous air vehicle to life - from control surface actuators to other electromechanical or hydraulic subsystems critical to flight performance. You will work cross-functionally with structures, electrical, software, and controls engineers to define requirements, select and validate components, and ensure your subsystems perform reliably under the demanding conditions of flight test and eventual fielded operations.
This role requires comfort with ambiguity and a bias toward action - you will be expected to move fast, test early, and iterate often as the vehicle design matures. You'll support component-level testing, subsystem integration, and vehicle-level flight test campaigns, working directly with program leadership to ensure your systems meet performance, reliability, and schedule targets. If you thrive on solving hard, unprecedented engineering problems with a small team of builders, this is a rare opportunity to leave your mark on a platform from its earliest days.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own and drive the design and development of actuation systems for control surfaces and other electromechanical/hydraulic subsystems, from initial concept through flight test and low rate production.
• Define actuation requirements (torque, speed, precision, environmental) in close collaboration with structures, controls, and systems engineering.
• Select, size, and validate actuators, motors, gearboxes, linkages, and associated hardware to meet performance, weight, and reliability targets.
• Work in close partnership with electrical and software teams to ensure actuator control, feedback, and health monitoring are fully integrated into the vehicle's flight control system.
• Spearhead design reviews, conduct structural and dynamic analysis, and develop test plans to verify actuator performance under flight-representative loads and conditions.
• Support component-level bench testing, subsystem integration, and vehicle-level ground and flight test campaigns.
• Actively contribute to the enhancement of team tools, templates, processes, and standards for actuation subsystem development.
• Cultivate a vibrant, positive, dedicated, high-energy, educational, and enjoyable team environment.
• Balance operational needs across vehicle subsystems while optimizing for development speed, mass, manufacturability, and cost.
• Support critical hardware demonstrations with customers as needed.
• Travel to test sites and vendors as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in an immersive technical project (collegiate project teams or professional settings)
• A minimum of 3+ years of experience in a professional technical engineering position (non-internship), with a focus on actuation, electromechanical, or servo-controlled systems
• Proven CAD skills (Any platform, but NX preferred) and the ability to produce high-quality engineering drawings that comply with common industry standards
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals in mechanisms, structures, controls, and electromechanical design
• Experience selecting and sizing actuators, motors, gearboxes, and associated drivetrain components for dynamic, high-reliability applications
• MATLAB/SIMULINK/SIMSCAPE experience, particularly for actuator or servo system modeling
• Manufacturing knowledge & experience with machine shops (sheet metal, CNC, etc.)
• Rapid prototyping background (structures/electronics/software) & 3D printing knowledge
• Proficient in hands-on prototyping (machining, shop tools, welding, soldering)
• BS or MS in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated hands-on fabrication skills
• Ability to travel 25% with potential surges above 25%
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in NX/Teamcenter
• Direct experience designing or integrating electromechanical actuators, servo motors, and motor controllers into flight vehicle systems
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Advanced design skills for CNC machining, composites, sheet metal, injection molding, and PCBA integration
• Experience with actuator control loops, feedback sensors (encoders, resolvers, LVDTs), and closed-loop performance tuning
• Outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with running a qualification campaign for flight hardware
• Familiarity with designing for rugged environments
• Understanding of MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810G
• Experience with electro-mechanical and electrical design concepts
• Experience with Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly, or similar competition programs involving actuation or drivetrain systems