---
title: 'Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion] at Odys Aviation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-design-engineer-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-4n4kzp0zd0e9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion] at Odys Aviation

- **Company:** Odys Aviation
- **Location:** Long Beach, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/odys-aviation/9e8236ba-a5ff-4b0f-a003-853c92dde997

## Job description

## ABOUT ODYS

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle https://youtu.be/fyI4XMsF2rM by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-20/fiji-airways-plans-connect-pacific-islands-laila-vtol, Honeywell https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/about-us/press-release/2024/07/honeywell-odys-aviation-to-collaborate-on-uncrewed-aircraft-operations-in-the-middle-east-and-pacific, Aramex https://evtolinsights.com/2024/01/odys-aviation-aramex-announce-collaboration-to-develop-cargo-operations-in-uae-and-oman/, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight https://youtu.be/AffdzQDUv2U faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

## About The Role

Odys Aviation is seeking a mid level Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Propulsion Team. In this role, you will design, analyze, and integrate mechanical and thermal systems that support high-power hybrid-electric propulsion, including motors, generators, inverters, turbines and their supporting structures and cooling systems.

You’ll work closely with electrical, manufacturing, test, and flight teams to take hardware from early concept through prototype build, test, and iteration. This is a hands-on role with meaningful ownership and a strong growth path as our propulsion systems mature and move toward production.

Don't meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Odys, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

## What You’ll Do

1. Own the mechanical design and integration of propulsion components and subsystems (motors, generators, inverters, turbines, structures and cooling systems)
2. Drive resolution of real hardware issues discovered during prototype and early production builds
3. Create and maintain 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, including GD&T and tolerance stackups
4. Perform DFM/DFA trade studies, balancing weight, cost, thermal performance, reliability, and manufacturability
5. Work with suppliers and internal teams to assess manufacturing feasibility, refine designs, and rapidly resolve build issues
6. Support hands-on prototype assembly, integration, and test, including debugging and root cause analysis
7. Conduct engineering analysis using a mix of hand calculations and FEA to inform design decisions
8. Implement and refine thermal management strategies (air and/or liquid cooling, heat sinks, TIMs, enclosures, insulation)
9. Translate test data and build feedback into actionable design improvements
10. Document designs, analyses, and design changes clearly to support team alignment and future production

## What We’re Looking For

1. B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
2. 4+ years of experience in mechanical design of complex systems (or equivalent demonstrated capability)
3. Experience owning the design of a critical assembly or subsystem from concept through build, test, and iteration
4. Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and creating production-quality drawings with GD&T
5. Strong understanding of tolerance stack-ups and real-world fit/integration challenges
6. Experience designing for a range of manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, additive, etc.)
7. Hands-on experience building, testing, and troubleshooting hardware
8. Comfortable working on electromechanical systems (motors, power electronics, rotating machinery, batteries, cooling systems, etc.)
9. Demonstrated ability to debug issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions
10. Experience working in fast-paced, iterative hardware development environments
11. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and bias toward action
12. Clear communicator who collaborates effectively across multidisciplinary teams

## Nice to Have

1. Experience with propulsion systems or electromechanical systems
2. Familiarity with rotating machinery, vibration, and structural dynamics considerations
3. Background in thermal management of high-power systems (liquid cooling, forced air, heat exchangers)
4. Experience performing thermal and/or structural analysis (FEA, analytical modeling, or CFD)
5. Experience supporting prototype builds and early production environments
6. Familiarity with PLM systems (Teamcenter preferred)
7. Background in aerospace, automotive (EV/powertrain), robotics, or similar high-performance hardware industries

## About Odys Aviation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Odys Aviation builds long-range, hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for defense, logistics, and civil applications, enabling runway-independent operations with significant payload and endurance.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: Long Beach, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Tadeh Avetian (Co‑Founder and Advisor); other founders not publicly listed (the team includes experts from GoogleX, Hyperloop, Volvo, and Fisker Automotive)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Aerospace & Aviation, Defense, Logistics
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, commercial cargo operators, humanitarian/NGOs, regional airlines (B2B, Government, Enterprise)
- **Mission**: “To connect people and goods in ways that truly solve real-world challenges and open new possibilities for the future of flight.”

## Products & Services
- **Laila**: Tactical VTOL drone with a 450‑mile range, 130‑lb payload, and multi‑hour endurance. Designed for defense, logistics, and emergency medical transport. Flies today.
- **Alta**: Larger VTOL cargo aircraft with a 1,200‑mile range, 3,500‑lb capacity, and dual flexible cargo capability. Aimed at regional logistics and passenger travel. Certification following Laila.
- Both platforms use **hybrid‑electric propulsion** and a patented **flap‑based thrust vectoring** system (replaces tilt rotors for simpler certification).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Total Funding**: $43.6 million (across pre‑seed, seed, and Series A rounds)
  - Pre‑Seed (Jul 2021): $3.5M from 7 investors
  - Seed (Feb 2022): $12.4M from 12 investors (after Y Combinator)
  - Series A (Nov 2025): $26M led by Nova Threshold with 3 investors
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Y Combinator, Nova Threshold, U.S. Department of Defense (Phase II contract), Sultanate of Oman (2026 evaluation program)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: 44 employees (+61.3% year‑over-year as of mid‑2026)
  - Over $9 billion in Letters of Intent and pre‑orders
  - Completed first full‑scale Laila prototype flight campaign and full transition flight test
  - First test of Alta’s 1MW generator, a hybrid‑electric propulsion breakthrough
  - 13 active job postings; quarterly hiring trend +62.5%

## Competitive Advantages
- **Flap‑based thrust vectoring** – simpler, more certifiable than tilt‑rotor designs while enabling VTOL and efficient cruise.
- **Hybrid‑electric propulsion** – delivers superior range, payload, and endurance compared to pure electric VTOL aircraft.
- **Dual‑use strategy** – serves both military and commercial markets from a single platform, accelerating adoption and funding.
- **Early flight‑proven hardware** – Laila is flying today; full transition flight validated, reducing certification risk.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale full‑scale flight testing and manufacturing readiness.
- Advance certification programs for both Laila and Alta.
- Expand international launch operations (e.g., Oman partnership).
- Continue winning DoD contracts and penetrating defense/logistics verticals.
- Build engineering team (propulsion, avionics, robotics, mission systems).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Emphasize “Details Matter”, “Build With Tenacity”, “Support The Team”, “Keep Your Promises”, and “Balance Audacity With Pragmatism”. Safety is the north star.
- **Team**: Composed of experienced aerospace engineers from Airbus, SpaceX, Boeing, and other top programs; described as “not average” with a focus on first‑principles engineering.
- **Work Environment**: Collaborative office and hangar spaces in Long Beach built for productivity and wellbeing. On‑site presence expected (no explicit remote policy advertised). Regular company events and team social hours.
- **Perks**: Competitive salaries, generous stock options, comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge aircraft from concept through certification and production.
- **Growth**: Rapidly scaling company with significant room for impact; employees can shape products and processes early.

## Sources
1. [odysaviation.com](https://www.odysaviation.com/) – Company homepage, product details, mission
2. [odysaviation.com/careers](https://www.odysaviation.com/careers) – Careers page, values, culture, benefits
3. [odysaviation.com/about](https://www.odysaviation.com/about) – Timeline, leadership team, funding milestones, DoD contracts
4. [linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation) – Headcount growth, funding total, employee breakdown, open roles
5. [ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation) – Y Combinator profile, founder background, early contracts

## Other roles at Odys Aviation

- [Composite Technician - Airframe](https://feeny.ai/job/composite-technician-airframe-odys-aviation-long-beach-ymyghw94fb1x) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-Op [Propulsion]](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineering-intern-co-op-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-89vsba1eprcc) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Technician - Powerplant](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-technician-powerplant-odys-aviation-long-beach-mc5xhvtsreet) — Long Beach, CA
- [Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-propulsion-controls-software-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-ccef4qmsfd0v) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Systems Integration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-systems-integration-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-nn4n1tjnc0sp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Lead Aircraft Maintenance Technician (eVTOL)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-aircraft-maintenance-technician-evtol-odys-aviation-long-beach-rtjsy0japddp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Operations Specialist (UAS Pilot)](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-specialist-uas-pilot-odys-aviation-long-beach-p5fryq1trxe4) — Long Beach, CA
- [Sr. Power Electronics Hardware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-power-electronics-hardware-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-r49kkj626twy) — Long Beach, CA
- [Junior Qualification & Safety Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-qualification-safety-engineering-intern-odys-aviation-munich-b6w6b02kb9c6) — Munich, Germany
- [Unmanned Aircraft Operations Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/unmanned-aircraft-operations-intern-odys-aviation-munich-0qtmf8khv812) — Munich, Germany