---
title: 'Principal Aerospace Engineer at AEVEX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-aerospace-engineer-aevex-tampa-florida-zwqf56vc26f9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Principal Aerospace Engineer at AEVEX

- **Company:** AEVEX
- **Location:** Tampa Florida, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-05-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aevexaerospace/jobs/5207342008

## Job description

Work Arrangement Onsite with occasional travel. Periods of development may require long irregular hours around deadlines, which can include weekends some holidays.

Job Overview The Principal Aeromechanical Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing the design, development, and testing of aeromechanical systems and components. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful integration of aerodynamic, mechanical, and structural elements in aircraft and spacecraft designs. They provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, contribute to project management activities, and stay updated on industry trends and advancements in aeromechanical engineering.

Essential Functions

- Lead the design and development of UAS products and subsystems.
- Build and tests prototype systems to validate designs
- Make decisions for design challenges and coordination with multidisciplinary engineering groups
- Evaluate performance of all vehicle designs from initial concept to complete production-ready design
- Conduct presentations (Formal and Informal) on designs.
- Uses scientific and engineering principles to assess deficiencies in any given design and the impact of potential changes
- Makes complex decisions to meet stated and derived requirements
- Complete assigned tasks within the project schedule and budget
- Provide guidance and mentorship to others in both their discipline and company values
- Conduct FEA and CFD simulation analysis on aircraft and powerplants Design airframes and other aeromechanical parts
- Act as an interface to customers as ideas are communicated

Standard Essential Functions Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule]. Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices. Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

## Qualifications and Competencies

- Demonstrated competence in Mechanical Engineering processes and design/analysis tools, solving Mechanics & Kinematics problems, solving             Thermodynamics problems
- Experienced in successfully designing mil-y electronics products
- Understanding of metallic, plastic, and composite material properties
- Ability to solve basic structural dynamics problems
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required
- Understanding of industry design and documentation standards (GD&T, ASME, Change Control, etc.)
- Experienced with designing machined parts, composite parts, injection molded parts, sheet metal parts, wire assemblies, and mechanical                       assemblies for low, medium, and high-volume manufacturing processes
- Experienced with mechanical, lab, field, flight, and environmental testing
- Understanding of engineering configuration management processes
- Ability to work with high-level program requirements, organize, schedule, and delegate tasks to an engineering team
- Ability to provide leadership to the team

Education / Certifications

- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- Master's Degree preferred.

## Experience

- Minimum of 10+ years of experience in a progressive technical capacity within an engineering organization

Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment

Security Clearance

- Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

## About AEVEX

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

## About AEVEX

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: AEVEX designs, manufactures, and deploys autonomous systems, navigation technologies, and mission solutions for U.S. and allied defense forces.
- **Entity Type**: Private (LLC – backed by undisclosed investors)
- **Headquarters**: Solana Beach, California, USA (with major facilities in Tampa, Florida; Crestview, Florida; Murrieta, California; and Huntsville, Alabama)
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Defense technology, aerospace, unmanned systems, autonomous navigation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, allied military forces, government agencies (B2G)
- **Mission**: “To design, deliver, and scale autonomous systems that create a decisive advantage in the modern battlespace.”

## Products & Services
- **[CompassX](https://aevex.com/)**: Open‑standards, AI‑driven navigation and autonomy platform for crewed and uncrewed systems, including GPS‑denied navigation and autonomous targeting.
- **[Atlas](https://aevex.com/)**: Group II autonomous precision strike system with high payload‑to‑GTOW ratio for tactical dominance.
- **[Disruptor](https://aevex.com/)**: Next‑generation autonomous precision strike system for extended endurance, multi‑domain versatility (precision attack, ISR, communications relay, EW).
- **[Raker](https://aevex.com/)**: Long‑endurance, fixed‑wing uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) produced via digital engineering and additive manufacturing.
- **[Vandal](https://aevex.com/)**: Low‑signature UAS with vision‑based navigation, electric propulsion, and RF‑transparent materials for stealthy operations.
- **[Mako Lite](https://aevex.com/)**: Lightweight, expeditionary unmanned surface vessel for maritime ISR, logistics, and communications.
- **[Mariana](https://aevex.com/)**: Long‑endurance ISR UAS with open architecture, autonomous operation, and modular payload design.
- **Engineering & Mission Support**: Aircraft engineering, ISR operations, systems integration, and sustainment services.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric (Private)**: Total funding – not publicly available; notable contract wins include an $18.5M U.S. Air Force contract for UAS and engineering services, a $15.2M option year for real‑time aerial intelligence for California, and $15.6M in U.S. Air Force mission‑support contracts.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Unnamed; recent acquisitions include Veth Research Associates (contested/GPS‑denied navigation) and select assets from RapidFlight (additive manufacturing).
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Opened a 60,000 sq ft UAS production facility and showroom in Florida.
  - Launched “Drone Factory of the Future” using additive manufacturing for rapid, scalable production.
  - Achieved AS9100 certification (aerospace quality standard).
  - Leadership transition: Brian Raduenz becomes Executive Chairman, Roger Wells appointed CEO.
  - Active hiring: 103 job openings across multiple locations.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Speed & Scale**: Digital engineering and additive manufacturing enable rapid prototyping and production at the edge (Drone Factory of the Future).
- **Open Architecture**: CompassX platform integrates crewed and uncrewed systems with AI‑driven autonomy, resistant to GPS denial.
- **Proven in Conflict**: Systems designed and built for real‑world modern battlespace conditions, with a focus on contested and denied environments.
- **Vertical Integration**: From hardware (UAS, USV) to software (autonomy, navigation) to mission support and ISR services.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling autonomous systems production through the Drone Factory of the Future.
- Expanding UAS portfolio for multi‑domain operations (air, maritime, ground).
- Deepening capabilities in contested environments (GPS‑denied navigation, low‑signature platforms).
- Strengthening relationships with U.S. and allied defense customers via speed‑to‑need delivery and proven performance.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Mission‑driven, values of Accountability, Integrity, Tenacity, Excellence, Teamwork. Emphasis on “moving the mission faster, farther, and forward.”
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, Health FSA / HSA, 401(k) with employer match, generous paid time off and holidays, 2 weeks paid parental leave, professional development stipend, monthly gym stipend, wellness initiatives, EAP, life and disability insurance.
- **Work Arrangements**: Multiple on‑site locations (Solana Beach, CA; Tampa & Crestview, FL; Murrieta, CA; Huntsville, AL). Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated; roles likely on‑site due to defense nature.
- **Growth**: 103 active job postings across engineering, operations, business development, IT, HR, and more. Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge autonomous systems in a high‑growth defense tech company.

## Sources
1. [aevex.com](https://aevex.com/) – Official website (products, mission, values, news)
2. [aevex.com/who-we-are](https://aevex.com/who-we-are/) – Mission, vision, values, and culture
3. [aevex.com/careers](https://aevex.com/careers/) – Careers page with benefits overview
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/aevexaerospace](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aevexaerospace) – Active job listings (103 roles)
5. [linkedin.com/company/aevex-aerospace](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aevex-aerospace) – LinkedIn profile (headquarters, industry)

## Other roles at AEVEX

- [Field Support Representative 4](https://feeny.ai/job/field-support-representative-4-aevex-ecuador-peru-szcvwfxt3pm3) — Ecuador / Peru
- [Facility Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/facility-manager-aevex-tampa-florida-pckbq2sjer89) — Tampa Florida, United States
- [Administrative Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/administrative-assistant-aevex-tampa-florida-3m7s2z29dkw4) — Tampa Florida, United States
- [VP, Investor Relations & Treasury](https://feeny.ai/job/vp-investor-relations-treasury-aevex-united-states-mk200xejdfdz) — United States
- [SIGINT Operator (SIO)](https://feeny.ai/job/sigint-operator-sio-aevex-washington-district-of-columbia-xbcr5770zysn) — Washington District of Columbia, United States
- [ServiceNow Architect](https://feeny.ai/job/servicenow-architect-aevex-united-states-w4b3g02zm3rd) — United States
- [Electrical Engineer 2 - Tactical Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-2-tactical-systems-aevex-tampa-florida-byd84zyh7azq) — Tampa Florida, United States
- [Sr. Pricing Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-pricing-analyst-aevex-united-states-xs5bn2r54kys) — United States
- [Subcontract Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/subcontract-administrator-aevex-murrieta-california-6c91dpbwj7dd) — Murrieta California, United States
- [Procurement Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/procurement-specialist-aevex-murrieta-california-84zj6k5zd55k) — Murrieta California, United States