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Role description

Mechanical Engineer

Wardstone logoWardstoneYC F25
TypeFull-time
SeniorityJunior
SponsorshipNo visa sponsorship
Salary$100,000–$130,000
LocationEl Segundo, CA
Posted10/18/2026
Engineering

Overview

We’re hiring several Mechanical Engineers to design, build, and test structures and mechanisms for our interceptors. You’ll take parts and assemblies from CAD through fabrication and test, and see them fly. You’ll report to the Mechanical Engineering Lead and work closely with our senior engineers, who will review your work and help you grow.

You’ll also work alongside the propulsion, aerodynamics, controls, and electrical engineers. At our size, you’ll get more ownership and hands-on time with flight hardware than you would almost anywhere else.

What You’ll Do

Design

  • Design structural parts, brackets, housings, and mechanisms for the interceptor.
  • Build CAD models and assemblies, and make clear drawings with GD&T.
  • Run hand calculations and FEA to check that your designs can handle launch, flight, and vibration loads.

Build

  • Work with vendors and machine shops to get parts made, and inspect them when they arrive.
  • Build and modify parts, fixtures, and assemblies in our in-house shop.
  • Assemble and integrate hardware with the propulsion, avionics, and controls teams.

Test

  • Design and build test fixtures.
  • Run structural, vibration, and environmental tests, and record the results.
  • Use test data to improve your designs.

Collaborate

  • Present your work in design reviews and take feedback well.
  • Work with other teams to solve packaging, routing, and interface problems.

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • 2+ years of experience designing and building hardware. Student rocketry, Formula SAE, or similar project teams count.
  • Solid CAD skills, including assemblies and drawings.
  • Working knowledge of structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
  • Comfortable working hands-on in a shop and test environment.
  • Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual). [Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.]

Nice to Have

  • Experience with missiles, rockets, UAVs, or other aerospace hardware.
  • Manual or CNC mill and lathe experience.
  • Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis.
  • Experience with composites or high-temperature materials.
  • Experience running vibration, shock, or thermal tests.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $100,000 – $130,000 per year.

Relevant archetypes

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Company info

Wardstone logo

Wardstone

The Modular Interceptor Platform

Wardstone is an aerospace defense-tech company developing next-generation capabilities to protect the United States and its allies from missiles and other aerial threats. We design, build, and deploy low-cost modular interceptors.

Private companySeedYC F25Hiring fastBrand new
Founded2025
HQEl Segundo, United States
Size2-10 employees
IndustryDefense and Space Manufacturing
Latest fundingSeed · Feb 15, 2026
Tech stackeclipse, ansys-fluent, scipy, numpy, julia, esp32, matlab, rocket, jitter, esds, ansys, python, monte-carlo, doppler, simulink, cplusplus, cuda, mastercam, solidworks, processing-js

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