Design Engineer

Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, an established aerospace and defense manufacturing company with over 55 years of continuous operation! This company specializes in designing and manufacturing critical components for aerospace, commercial, and military applications, including de-icing systems, composites, and specialized aviation products.

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established manufacturer based in West Virginia with a 148,000 square foot facility dedicated to creating highly engineered components for the aerospace and defense sectors. With approximately 140 employees and a dedicated engineering team, they provide critical components to major industry leaders including the US Government, Boeing, and other key aerospace companies.

The Opportunity

The Design Engineer will be responsible for the design, qualification, and certification of aerospace, commercial and military components incorporating both metallic and non-metallic (composite and polymer) materials. This hands-on role offers an exciting opportunity to work across the entire product lifecycle while collaborating directly with customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design support throughout all stages of the product development process, from initial requirements capture through detail design, manufacturing, and qualification
• Interface directly with customers and suppliers to gather requirements and resolve design issues
• Develop optimized product designs for cost, weight, and robustness
• Conduct physical testing and qualification of components
• Participate in reverse engineering activities
• Create comprehensive manufacturing data packages and drawings
• Support Manufacturing Engineering with transitioning designs into production
• Develop and oversee test plans for material qualification testing for FAA/customer requirements
• Present to management and customers during design reviews
• Contribute to intellectual property protection efforts

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred
• Hands-on approach to engineering with willingness to learn fabrication techniques
• Experience with composites or related materials (academic projects considered)
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills for customer and team interactions
• US citizenship required (due to government contracts)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Willingness to travel approximately 15% of the time, potentially internationally

Benefits & Culture

• Comprehensive medical insurance through Highmark BCBS
• Dental coverage through United Concordia
• Vision coverage through Davis Designer
• Company-paid basic life, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• 401(k) through Fidelity with generous company match (100% for first 3%, 50% for next 2%)
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge aerospace and defense technologies 🛩️
• Small-team environment allowing for significant impact and visibility
• Rural West Virginia location with beautiful surroundings

This position offers a unique opportunity to work hands-on with advanced materials and technologies while directly impacting the aerospace and defense industries. If you have the technical skills and collaborative spirit to thrive in this environment, we want to hear from you!