What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineer position at Hop Aero?
About Hop Aero
Hop Aero is building the physical internet - we operate at the intersection of aerospace, national security, and hard execution.
This is not a research project. We build hardware, test it aggressively, learn fast, and iterate. The work is demanding, the environment is unforgiving, and the stakes are real. We are looking for people who want to contribute to protecting our way of life - not just spectating.
About the role
This is a hands-on mechanical engineering role focused on designing, building, and iterating real flight and test hardware. As a Mechanical Engineer at Hop Aero, you will take ownership of the entire lifecycle of the parts you develop: CAD -> FEA -> Manufacturing -> Testing -> Flight.
You will work closely with field operations and test engineers, and you should expect to spend time supporting test campaigns and field activities, not just designing components in isolation.
What you’ll do
- Design mechanical components and assemblies in CAD for flight and ground systems
- Produce drawings and documentation suitable for rapid fabrication and iteration
- Support mechanical and structural trade studies with a practical, execution-focused mindset
- Interface directly with fabrication, assembly, and test efforts
- Participate in test campaigns and post-test reviews to inform design iteration
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues uncovered during testing and implement fixes quickly
- Contribute to improving internal design, build, and test workflows
What we’re looking for
- 2-4 years relevant professional experience
- Strong mechanical fundamentals with a bias toward practical execution
- Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, NX, Fusion 360, or similar)
- Strong understanding of common manufacturing techniques in aerospace (machining, welding, composites, sheet metal, etc.)
- Comfort designing for manufacturability and imperfect real-world conditions
- Willingness to stay close to hardware and testing, not just analysis
- Ability to work independently, take ownership, and move without perfect requirements
- Interest in contributing to a mission with real-world impact
Nice to have
- Aerospace experience is a huge plus
- Experience with rapid prototyping and short design-build-test cycles
- Experience supporting test or field operations
- Military or veteran background
This position may require access to export-controlled information. Applicants must be a U.S. Person under ITAR.