Aerospace Design Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitio u s and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.

As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAVplatforms,modifyingand adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You will design the mechanical and electrical architecture for variousunmanned and autonomoussystems, ensuring their design, implementation, and testingmeets the needs of the end-user. You will work in close collaboration with systems engineers, embedded systems engineers, production teams, and customer-facingprogrammanagers.

Your role will be crucial in guiding the team's choices and ensuring the consistency of technical decisions. You will conceptualize innovative hardware configurations, conduct comprehensive trade studies, and create solutionsoptimizedfor both manufacturing efficiency and field assembly. Yourexpertisewill be vital in realizing robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that enhance the performance of Helsing's UAV systems, directly supporting our mission toprovideadvanceddefensecapabilities.

• Modify and adapt existing UAV platform mechanical and electrical designs and interfaces to meet US customer needs, specifications, and regulatory requirements
• Own subsystems design andparticipatein the overall development of platform architecture, ensuring consistency in decision-making meetings
• Conceptualize and design UAV and supporting system hardware configurations through comprehensive trade studies and analytical assessments
• Develop modular solutions using WOSA (Weapons Open Systems Architecture) standards to ensure interoperability and upgradability
• Create electronic architectures and mechanical design concepts, specification design, and selectappropriate components
• Produce 3D and 2D documentation using SolidWorks or similar CAD/PLM tools, ensuring proper form, fit, and function of components by using analytical and simulation tools
• Integrate COTS/GOTS equipment to meet high-level systemobjectiveswhile managing size, weight, power, and cost constraints
• Apply latest design and drawing standards , including ASME/ISO standards,GD&T, and strong consideration for manufacturing aspects
• Design for manufacturing (DFM) and end-user field assembly, developing robust, scalable, and cost-effective components
• Define and perform validation tests for technical maturation with general electronics and electrical troubleshooting, and mechanical testing
• Create comprehensive design documentation in accordance withcompany guidelines and quality standards

• Have several years of experience in mechanical and/or electrical design for UAV platforms, aerospace systems, or similar demanding applications
• Hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
• Possess outstanding hands‑on experience with 3D/2D CAD and PLM tools (preferably SolidWorks/PDM or similar platforms)
• Have strong knowledge of modular design principles and experience with WOSA or similar open systems architecture standards
• Possess knowledge of electroniccomponentintegration , preferably using ECAD/MCAD interfaces forcomponentrealization
• Are keen on fast‑track developments and realizations and able to work independently, owning a project from concept to validation
• Enjoy working in a highly flexible environment

Note: We encourage you to apply even if youdon’tmeet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarized in a few bullet points.

• Professional working experience with US defense customers and familiarity with US military specifications and standards
• Experience with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design , including airframe structures, propulsion integration, and payload mounting
• Knowledge of export control regulations (ITAR, EAR) and experience working on US defense programs
• Experience with schematic andPCB(Printed Circuit Board)design for embedded systems
• Familiarity with EMC(Electromagnetic Compatibility)designand validation
• Experience with actuators (brushed and brushless motors, servomotors, magnetic coupling) and sensors used in aerospace or mechatronics applications
• Background in Battery Management Systems and power circuit design
• Experience with environmental testing requirements (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity) for aerospace applications
• Familiarity with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for structural and thermal analysis
• Understanding of airworthiness certification processes and safety assessment methodologies

Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns

The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world

Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defense industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward

In our domain, success is a matter of order‑of‑magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts

We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practice responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn’t work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about

A focus on outcomes, not time‑tracking

A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.

• Growth toward global roles in our Finance organization

The base salary offered to the successful candidate will bedeterminedby a variety of factors including relevant experience, qualifications, education, skill level, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.

Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here .