Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer

About Canopy Aerospace & Defense and Hera Technologies

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is proud to work with Hera Technologies, a leading contract manufacturer known for producing high-precision metallic and non-metallic components used in Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Commercial Airline industries. Hera Technologies specializes in thermal protection systems (TPS) that safeguard critical aerospace structures — from engine bays to payloads. The company is committed to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, fostering a culture driven by integrity and passion for aerospace advancements.

Role Overview

The Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer will be primarily responsible for designing, developing, and producing advanced mechanical parts and assemblies for Hera's top-tier thermal protection systems. This includes working hands-on with softgoods, composite materials, and engineered surface finishes. The role covers the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept and design through prototyping and full-scale manufacturing—with a focus on ensuring manufacturability, performance excellence, and adherence to aerospace and defense industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and production of mechanical components and assemblies crucial to thermal protection systems, including materials like composites and softgoods.
• Work collaboratively with diverse teams to implement scalable manufacturing methods that comply with aerospace regulations and maintain quality and efficiency.
• Develop and oversee process documentation to ensure consistent production results and improve throughput during design, prototyping, and manufacturing phases.
• Apply both traditional and innovative manufacturing technologies to metallics, composites, and other advanced materials to guarantee durability and performance.
• Conduct prototyping and testing of materials such as carbon fiber composites, high-temperature elastomers, and reinforced fabrics, iterating designs based on test data and failure analyses.
• Lead investigations into material failures and manufacturing defects through root cause analyses and apply corrective solutions in development and production.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in advanced materials.
• Over four years of experience in mechanical design and manufacturing, emphasizing metallics, composites, and TPS.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing engineering projects encompassing design, prototyping, and production of mechanical systems including polymer components.
• Hands-on expertise with advanced materials and mechanical parts utilized in aerospace or defense, especially TPS and engineered finishes.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes for elastomers and composites, material properties, and aerospace testing standards.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks to produce detailed and production-ready engineering drawings.
• Firm understanding of engineering principles related to structures, materials science, thermal management, and mechanical system design.
• Experience with prototyping and fabrication methods including machining, composite layup, bonding, and mechanical assembly.
• Capability to develop manufacturing and build plans in accordance with industry and customer specifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in SolidWorks or comparable CAD/CAM tools and experience with PLM systems for design and production workflow management.
• Knowledge of GD&T as per ASME Y14.5 and ability to apply precision tolerancing in aerospace-grade drawings.
• Experience with CNC machining, composites, ceramics, sheet metal, injection molding, and tooling for high-performance applications.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate within cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality assurance, and program management.
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense hardware qualification campaigns, specifically ruggedized systems and TPS components.
• Design experience for extreme environmental conditions ensuring durability and mechanical integrity.
• Possession or eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher) including background checks as required for controlled defense information access.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related area, or equivalent relevant experience.

Additional Job Requirements and Conditions

• Comfort working in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature changes.
• Physical ability to lift up to 35 pounds and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
• Visual clarity needed for reading technical drawings, component inspections, and operating precision equipment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (up to 10%) to customer or testing locations, including outdoor and industrial sites, following all safety protocols.

Job Details and Compensation

This full-time salaried position follows a 9/80 work schedule from 7 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday, with occasional additional hours or weekends as necessary. The role reports to the Engineering Manager and is based in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The salary range is between $80,000 and $140,000 annually, with actual compensation reflecting the candidate's knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan participation eligibility; paid sick leave, vacation, holidays; and discretionary bonuses.

Export Control and Equal Employment Opportunity

Applicants must meet U.S. export control regulations by being a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or capable of securing necessary U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer, ensuring hiring is based on merit and qualifications without discrimination against legally protected statuses.

Use of AI in Hiring Process

Artificial intelligence technologies may assist in analyzing resumes and applications to streamline recruitment, but final hiring decisions are made by human professionals. Applicants may request details regarding data processing practices.