Senior Aerospace Engineer

Drive the development of aerospace systems for autonomous aviation

About Avy

Avy pioneers unmanned aviation technology for emergency services and life-saving applications. We partner with innovative organizations that are among the first in the world to integrate long-range drone operations into their daily workflows.

We thrive on innovation, agility and bold ideas and we’ve developed a range of cutting-edge products that are ready to make impact at scale. We’re an award winning scale up in the aviation industry, we pride ourselves for combining an innovative garage startup culture with being a professional and safety minded aviation organisation.

About the role

As a Senior Aerospace Engineer, you’ll play a key role in designing, building and testing the next generation of our drone platforms. You will be part of the mechanical engineering team developing the physical airframe and its components whilst working closely with embedded and software engineers to ensure seamless integration of all systems into our UAVs.

This is a highly practical role: you’ll own your designs from initial CAD through to prototyping and field testing. You’ll be deeply involved in mechanical integration, aerostructure design, manufacturability and collaborating with suppliers. Your work directly affects our mission to deliver reliable aerial systems for critical real-world use.

As a senior engineer you will be guiding and mentoring the more junior engineers in the mechanical team. You will also lead the more complex, sometimes cross-functional, projects and act as a tech lead.

Key responsibilities

• Design mechanical and structural components for UAV systems using SolidWorks;
• Manage CAD data, configurations and revisions using a PDM system;
• Lead prototyping and bring up new concepts quickly, hands-on, in the workshop;
• Apply DFM principles to ensure manufacturability at scale;
• Collaborate with suppliers on manufacturing techniques (CNC, composites, bonded assemblies, etc.);
• Support system integration of aerostructures, propulsion and avionics;
• Contribute to test planning, physical validation and field deployments;
• Bridge engineering and production by writing clear documentation and communicating technical requirements.

About you

You are a creative, hands-on engineer who turns ideas into working hardware. You combine a deep understanding of aerospace fundamentals with pragmatism to make things that just work. You’re comfortable getting your hands dirty, building prototypes, talking to suppliers and iterating fast.

You know how to manage the mechanical side of complex systems—and you’re ready to take ownership.

Requirements

Must haves

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace engineering;
• Skilled in SolidWorks and experience with PDM systems;
• Hands-on experience with prototyping and testing;
• Familiar with DFM principles and working with manufacturing partners;
• Practical understanding of flight mechanics and aerodynamics;
• Strong technical communicator skills.

Nice to haves

• Experience in drone or aviation-related hardware;
• Familiarity with composite structures;
• Experience in designing for production (low- to mid-volume);
• FEA and/or scripting skills (Python or MATLAB).

What we offer

• 🚀 Impactful work: be part of a company using technology to save lives and drive sustainability
• ⭐ Leading the drone revolution: work on advanced aerial systems projects that keep you on the front lines of innovation as we shape the future of drone technology
• 💰Competitive salary ranging between € 4000 - € 4700 gross based on 40 hours work week, depending on the level of seniority
• 🌴 Unlimited time off: take the time you need to recharge and stay at your best
• 🏢 An inspiring office: work from our awesome space in Amsterdam, featuring a maker space, sauna, and great lunches!
• 🎢 Startup experience: embrace the excitement, freedom, and fast growth of an ambitious tech startup
• 🤝 A great culture: a warm and fun atmosphere with regular get-togethers, drinks, and celebrations plus a work environment built on trust, freedom, and learning from mistakes

EU citizenship or an EU work permit is required for this position (Avy does not offer relocation support).