---
title: 'Senior Actuation Engineer at REGENT'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-actuation-engineer-regent-north-kingstown-rhode-island-gtfh5ec0dveq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Senior Actuation Engineer at REGENT

- **Company:** REGENT
- **Location:** North Kingstown Rhode Island, United States
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2026-09-14
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/regent/cfca1df0-8db1-460d-8599-a5863520756d

## Job description

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before. Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

## Role Overview

As a Senior Actuation Engineer, you’ll own the Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic surface actuation controls that help REGENT deliver flight-capable Seaglider hardware safely and on schedule. You’ll drive sizing, performance, requirements, and trade studies across key load cases, support certification-focused analysis and documentation, and help architecture a scalable actuation foundation as we evolve from prototype to product across multiple programs. You’ll be joining a group of driven, collaborative, and talented engineers who take pride in solving complex technical challenges and making an impact as a team. We hold a high bar for engineering rigor, move quickly, think boldly, and rely on our teamwork to push boundaries and bring entirely new technology into the world. If you’re energized by working at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation, real-world impact, and hands-on engineering, you’ll be in the right place - and we’d be thrilled to have you on the team!

## What You'll Do

- Own the actuation system architecture, requirements, performance and qualification.
- Deliver high-impact actuation trade studies supporting major milestones.
- Develop and maintain simulation models, assumptions, and documentation that enable repeatable, reviewable engineering decisions.
- Collaborate closely with loads, manufacturing, controls, GNC, integration and certification stakeholders to ensure as-built performance align with requirements, producibility, and verification needs.
- Contribute to improving team execution by helping refine procedures, templates, and best practices that reduce analysis bottlenecks.
- Certify the world’s first all electric Seaglider actuation control system!

## What You'll Bring

- Experienced actuation engineer with significant focus in electromechanical flight-critical actuation.
- Experience leading actuation system development from concept to qualification/certification.
- Experience technically managing suppliers of actuation related materials.
- Working knowledge of critical actuation technical challenges such as bandwidth, duty cycle, fatigue, stability, power and environmental including sea-based requirements.
- Solid fundamentals in control theory, kinematics and mechanism integration.
- Familiarity with all aspects of the engineering life cycle (“V”) for actuation from concept to qualification.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, plus a collaborative, low-ego approach in fast-moving, interdisciplinary teams.

Who We're Looking For

- Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.
- Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions, bringing a practical, inventive mindset to every problem. You don't just patch issues - you improve processes, anticipate downstream impacts, and help turn one-off fixes into scalable solutions that raise the bar for future builds.
- Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.
- Innovative Mindset: You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.

## What We Offer

- Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
- 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
- Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
- Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
- Daily, free catered lunches
- Learning & professional development opportunities

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

## Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

## About REGENT

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: REGENT develops and manufactures all-electric Seaglider™ vessels for fast, safe, and low-cost coastal transportation, combining the high speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: North Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Billy Thalheimer (CEO) and Mike Klinker (CTO)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Electric maritime transportation / Aerospace
- Target customers: B2B (commercial operators, ferry companies, logistics firms), B2G (U.S. Marine Corps), and ultimately B2C (passengers and commuters)
- Mission: "To drastically reduce the cost and headache of regional transportation between coastal cities."

## Products & Services
- **Viceroy Seaglider**: A 12-passenger all-electric wing-in-ground-effect craft with a range of 180 miles at 180 mph, designed for regional coastal routes.
- **Monarch Seaglider**: A larger, 50-to-100-passenger all-electric Seaglider for higher-capacity routes, with a first order announced from UME Shipping (July 2024).
- **Squire Seaglider Drone**: A defense-specific unmanned wing-in-ground effect craft, developed under the REGENT Defense division.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Total Funding**: Over $100 million raised from world-class investors. Series A of $60 million co-led by 8090 Industries and Founders Fund (completion announced early, details on company page).
- **Key Metric**: Commercial backlog of Seaglider vessel orders worth over $10 billion as of early 2025 (order book was $9B at end of 2024).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Investors include 8090 Industries, Founders Fund; partners include the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL), Strategic Development Fund (SDF) of the UAE, Brittany Ferries, and UME Shipping.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Groundbreaking on a 255,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Quonset Business Park, Rhode Island (January 2025).
    - First on-water sea trials of the full-scale Viceroy Seaglider prototype with humans onboard (2025).
    - Secured a $15 million U.S. Marine Corps contract to demonstrate Seaglider technology for defense logistics.
    - Announced a joint venture with SDF to bring Seaglider manufacturing to the UAE.
    - Opened a second office in Washington, D.C. to support certification and defense efforts.

## Competitive Advantages
- **First-mover in a new category**: As a pioneer of the Seaglider (a wing-in-ground-effect craft certified and operated over water), REGENT is defining a new mode of transportation between "water and air."
- **Backed by top-tier investors**: Supported by the same investors behind SpaceX, Anduril, and Archer Aviation, providing deep capital and strategic network.
- **Strong order book**: Over $10 billion in orders provides significant financial validation and a clear path to revenue.
- **Dual-use technology**: Products serve both commercial (passenger/commuter) and defense (military logistics) markets, diversifying risk and revenue streams.
- **Safety-first design philosophy**: Builds vehicles to the same safety standards as modern aircraft and watercraft, combined with an operating environment that is "always near a safe landing site" (the water).

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale manufacturing**: Completing and operating the new 255,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Rhode Island to begin production of the Viceroy and Monarch.
- **Certification**: Aggressively working with regulators (including through their D.C. office) to achieve maritime certification for the Seaglider, a critical path to market.
- **Defense expansion**: Growing the REGENT Defense division, as evidenced by the Marine Corps contract and the flight of the Squire drone.
- **Global expansion**: Establishing a joint venture in the UAE for manufacturing and aftermarket services, signaling a push into the Middle East and global markets.

## Why Work Here
- **High-impact, mission-driven work**: Employees directly contribute to creating a new, zero-emission mode of transportation, solving a real-world problem in coastal mobility.
- **Strong engineering culture**: The company is "data first," emphasizes "extreme ownership" and a "every day is a tryout" mentality, focusing on hands-on, practical problem-solving.
- **Equity and benefits**: All employees receive equity in the company. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision (with a fully paid premium option), 3 months of paid parental leave, and relocation support.
- **Location**: The primary campus in North Kingstown, RI, combines offices, testing facilities, and manufacturing in one location, offering a unique, hands-on environment. They also have a D.C. office for certification and defense work.
- **Career growth**: Interns and employees work on real projects that directly contribute to the product and company build-out, from flight controls to manufacturing and certification.

## Sources
1. [regentcraft.com](https://www.regentcraft.com/)
2. [regentcraft.com](https://www.regentcraft.com/company)
3. [regentcraft.com](https://www.regentcraft.com/careers)
4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/regentcraft)

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