Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer

Overview This position leads the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced mechanical components and assemblies for Hera Technologies’ industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS). The engineer will work hands-on with TPS soft goods, composites, and engineered surface finishes, supporting the full lifecycle from concept and design through prototyping, manufacturing, and production. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, performance optimization, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards. Ideal candidates bring a strong foundation in mechanical design and manufacturing, with practical experience in advanced materials and ruggedized hardware applications. Job Details FLSA Classifications: Salary (Exempt) Type: Full Time Business Hours: Core (flexibility to support project needs beyond standard times) Salary Range: $80,000 to $140,000 Reports to: Engineering Manager Base Location: Ontario, CA Travel: Up to 10% Benefits Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance Retirement plan participation (eligibility required) Paid Sick Leave Paid Vacation Paid holidays Discretionary bonuses Incentivized cash-based employee referral program for non-management employees Physical Requirements / Work Environments Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments May require use of PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, in accordance with Cal/OSHA safety standards Occasional travel to supplier or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Management may modify or assign additional duties as needed. ITAR REQUIREMENTS To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a US Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Equal Opportunity Statement Hera Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Hera Technologies is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. Key Responsibilities Lead the design, development and manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies for Hera’s industry-leading thermal protection systems (TPS), including softgoods, composites, and engineered surface finishes Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement scalable manufacturing and assembly processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with aerospace and defense standards Create and maintain process documentation and controls to support consistent production outcomes and optimize throughput across design, prototyping, and manufacturing phases Utilize traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques for metallics, composites, and other materials used in thermal protection systems and critical aerospace structures, ensuring performance, durability, and production scalability Prototype and test advanced materials—including carbon fiber composites, high-temperature elastomers, and reinforced fabrics—iterating based on performance data and failure analysis Investigate material failures, process anomalies, and manufacturing defects by leading root cause analyses to implement corrective actions in both development and production phases Required Qualifications 4+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience, with emphasis on metallic, composites and thermal protection systems (TPS) Proven leadership in engineering projects involving design, prototyping, and production of mechanical systems, including soft goods and polymer-based components Hands-on experience with advanced materials and mechanical components in aerospace or defense applications, including TPS and engineered surface finishes Strong understanding of elastomer and composite manufacturing processes, material properties, and relevant aerospace testing standards Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) with the ability to produce high-quality, production-ready engineering drawings Solid foundation in engineering principles including structures, materials science, thermal management, and mechanical system design Skilled in prototyping and fabrication techniques such as machining, composite layups, bonding and mechanical assembly Expertise in creating manufacturing and build plans/procedures for variety of customer products and assemblies with respect to industry standards or customer supplied specifications Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications Preferred Qualifications Proficient in SolidWorks or similar CAD/CAM tools, with experience using PLM systems to manage design and production workflows Strong knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, with demonstrated ability to apply tolerancing principles in aerospace-grade engineering drawings Advanced design experience across CNC machining, composites, ceramics, sheet metal, and injection molding, including tooling and mold development for high-performance applications Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills in cross-functional engineering environments, including collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and program teams Familiarity with qualification campaigns for aerospace and defense hardware, including ruggedized systems and TPS components Experience designing for harsh environments, ensuring durability, thermal resilience, and mechanical integrity under extreme conditions Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher), or the ability to obtain one based on eligibility. This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience in advanced material applications Seniority level Not Applicable Employment type Contract Job function Management and Manufacturing Industries Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Canopy Aerospace & Defense by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Mechanical Specialist” roles. Greater Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo Metropolitan Area 2 weeks ago Toronto, Ontario, Canada $75,000.00-$85,000.00 3 weeks ago Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada CA$80,000.00-CA$85,000.00 2 days ago Mechanical Designer or Engineer - Trojan Mechanical or Aerospace Engineer-Talent Pool Mississauga Scarborough, Ontario, Canada 8 months ago Licensed Aircraft Engineer (Position based in Dubai, UAE) Vaughan, Ontario, Canada CA$60,000.00-CA$80,000.00 1 week ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr