Launch Systems Product Lead, Aerospace Level 5 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Launch Systems Product Lead, Aerospace Level 5

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Purple Rhombus Inc Fort Worth, TX Job Details Full-time $155,000
• $195,000 a year 14 hours ago Benefits Relocation assistance Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Qualifications Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering System design for system development Bachelor's degree in engineering Requirements analysis Prototype creation Systems engineering Hydraulics Prototypes Full Job Description Job Description Level 5 Aerospace Engineer•Launch Systems Product Lead, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Location:

Fort Worth, Texas Classification:

Full-time, Exempt Seniority:

Level 5

Aerospace Engineer Reports To:

Chief Engineer Company Description Purple Rhombus designs, builds, manufactures, and tests unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for U.S. government and commercial customers. Focused on producibility, Purple Rhombus aircraft are engineered for scalable manufacture, rapid deployment, and mission-ready performance. We are seeking mission-driven individuals to join the team to build the next generation of unmanned aircraft. Position Overview Purple Rhombus is seeking a Level 5 Aerospace Engineer to serve as the Launch Systems Product Lead responsible for the design, development, integration, and production readiness of advanced launch systems supporting fixed-wing unmanned aircraft operations. This role owns critical mechanical system design decisions involving high-force, high-acceleration, and dynamically loaded systems across prototype, LRIP, and production environments. The Launch Systems Product Lead provides technical leadership spanning conceptual architecture, structural and mechanical design, system integration, test validation, manufacturability, and operational reliability. Key Responsibilities Launch Systems Design Authority Lead the design and development of launch systems for fixed-wing UAS platforms including rail launchers, energy storage systems, actuation systems, structural interfaces, restraint mechanisms, and launch sequencing architectures. Own critical technical trade decisions impacting launch performance, reliability, operator safety, transportability, and manufacturability. Complex Mechanical System Design Lead the design of mechanically complex systems involving high loads, high acceleration environments, shock loading, dynamic structural response, and energy transfer mechanisms. Develop credible load paths, structural concepts, mechanisms, and retention/release systems capable of repeated operational use in austere environments. Conceptual Design and Trade Studies Lead or oversee conceptual design activities including launch energy modeling, acceleration analysis, structural trade studies, packaging concepts, deployment methods, and system down-selects. Translate operational requirements into executable launch system architectures balancing performance, cost, reliability, mobility, and production scalability. Structural Design and Integration Lead or oversee primary and secondary structural design for launch systems including interface structures, launcher frames, moving assemblies, retention hardware, and dynamic load-bearing components. Coordinate with aircraft engineering teams to ensure proper air vehicle integration and safe load transfer during launch events. Design Maturation and Production Readiness Drive launch system maturity from prototype through LRIP and production configurations. Ensure systems are production-ready, configuration-controlled, maintainable, and compatible with scalable manufacturing methods. Coordinate with manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams to resolve producibility and reliability challenges. Test and Validation Lead ground test planning, execution, and data review for launch system validation including static load testing, cycle testing, acceleration characterization, environmental testing, and operational demonstrations. Own corrective actions resulting from test observations and ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future designs. Cross-Functional Technical Leadership Mentor junior engineers and provide technical direction across mechanical design, structures, manufacturing, systems engineering, and test teams. Serve as a senior technical representative supporting customer engagement, technical reviews, proposal efforts, and next-generation launch system development. Required Qualifications Ten or more years of aerospace or mechanical engineering experience with direct experience designing complex mechanical systems. Demonstrated experience with high-force, high-acceleration, or dynamically loaded systems such as launch systems, weapon systems, aerospace mechanisms, suspension systems, industrial machinery, or related hardware. Proven background in structural design, mechanical architecture, mechanism design, or system integration. Experience transitioning hardware from conceptual design through prototype, testing, and production. Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline. Ability to travel to test locations, production facilities, and customer sites. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Experience designing rail launch systems, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, restraint/release systems, or mechanically actuated aerospace hardware. Familiarity with structural dynamics, shock/vibration environments, fatigue considerations, and manufacturability-driven design. Experience supporting field operations, rapid iteration programs, and production scaling environments. Competencies and Attributes Recognized technical authority with strong first-principles engineering judgment in mechanical and structural system design. Ability to translate operational requirements into robust, fieldable launch system architectures. Decisive decision-maker under schedule, test, and production pressure. Clear communicator capable of leading technical discussions across disciplines. Strong ownership mindset for system reliability, operator safety, manufacturability, and operational effectiveness.

Annual salary range:

$155,000

• 195,000

Travel:

15% per year.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$155,000.00

• $195,000.

00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person