Senior Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion]

Odys Aviation Mechanical Design EngineerOur 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 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 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 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 RoleOdys Aviation is seeking a senior 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. This is a hands-on role with ownership of critical hardware, where you will play a key role as we mature our propulsion systems.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 DoLead design and analysis of rotating machinery subsystems (turbines, motors, generators), addressing vibration, dynamic balancing, and bearing/seal challengesDrive resolution of real hardware issues discovered during prototype and early production buildsMentor and provide technical guidance to mid-level and junior engineersContribute to planning and technical strategy for the propulsion team, including design reviews and technical standardsCreate and maintain 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, including GD&T and tolerance stackupsPerform DFM/DFA trade studies, balancing weight, cost, thermal performance, reliability, and manufacturabilityWork with suppliers and internal teams to assess manufacturing feasibility, refine designs, and rapidly resolve build issuesSupport hands-on prototype assembly, integration, and test, including debugging and root cause analysisConduct engineering analysis using a mix of hand calculations and FEA to inform design decisionsImplement and refine thermal management strategies (air and/or liquid cooling, heat sinks, TIMs, enclosures, insulation)Translate test data and build feedback into actionable design improvementsDocument designs, analyses, and design changes clearly to support team alignment and future productionWhat We're Looking ForB.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related fieldExperience with high speed rotating machinery and associated challenges (ex. vibration, critical speed, dynamic balancing, bearings/seals)5+ min years of experience in mechanical design of complex systemsDemonstrated experience owning and delivering on a critical assembly or subsystem with ownership from concept through build, test through productionProficiency in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and creating production-quality drawings with GD&TStrong understanding of tolerance stack-ups and real-world fit/integration challengesExperience designing for a range of manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, additive, etc.)Hands-on experience building, testing, and troubleshooting hardwareComfortable working on electromechanical systems (motors, power electronics, rotating machinery, batteries, cooling systems, etc.)Demonstrated ability to debug issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actionsExperience working in fast-paced, iterative hardware development environmentsStrong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and bias toward actionClear communicator who collaborates effectively across multidisciplinary teamsTechnical leadership experience (ex. leading design reviews, mentoring engineers, or setting technical standards for the team)Nice to HaveExperience with propulsion systems or electromechanical systemsBackground in thermal management of high-power systems (liquid cooling, forced air, heat exchangers)Experience with rotor dynamics or vibration analysis tools (e.g., modal analysis, critical-speed analysis)Experience performing thermal and/or structural analysis (FEA, analytical modeling, or CFD)Experience supporting prototype builds and early production environmentsFamiliarity with PLM systems (Teamcenter preferred)Background in aerospace, automotive (EV/powertrain), robotics, or similar high-performance hardware industries