Contract Mechanical Design Engineer – UAV Propellers

Company Description RotorWorks Manufacturing LLC is a U.S. owned and operated advanced composites manufacturer based in California, specializing in components for drones and unmanned aircraft. The company supports OEMs from concept through production with lightweight composite frames, propellers, rotor blades, precision components, tooling, fixtures, technical assembly, inspection, and scalable manufacturing services.

Job Description

RotorWorks Manufacturing LLC is seeking an experienced mechanical design engineer to support UAV propeller development programs. The work focuses on aerodynamic surface reconstruction, detailed mechanical design, and production-ready CAD for injection-molded and composite propellers.

Technical Scope

• Develop and refine parametric blade geometry from high-resolution scans, airfoil sections, and existing CAD.
• Preserve airfoil profiles, twist, chord, and thickness distribution while refining lofts, taper transitions, and surface continuity.
• Design blade roots, hub interfaces, machinable wingtip and winglet geometry.
• Perform CAD-to-scan comparisons and resolve geometry deviations.
• Deliver editable native CAD files and watertight STEP models suitable for tooling development.

Qualifications

• Advanced Autodesk Fusion 360 skills, including surfacing, lofting, guide curves, and solid modeling.
• Ability to work with SolidWorks part and assembly files.
• Demonstrated propeller, rotor blade, or aerodynamic surface design experience.
• Strong understanding of reverse engineering, dimensional control, and design for manufacturability.
• Injection molding or composite tooling experience preferred.
• Must be US citizen and US Based (verification will be required)
• Must sign NDA
• Ability to provide applicable professional license information, if relevant to the services offered.

RotorWorks will provide data scan, reference geometry, design requirements, and manufacturing direction. Each assignment will be defined in a written agreement or statement of work describing its scope, deliverables, schedule, rates or fixed fee, and payment due dates.

Compensation and Payment

The anticipated rate is $85–$125 per hour, depending on demonstrated propeller design, advanced CAD surfacing, and manufacturing experience. Fixed-project proposals are also welcome. For engagements properly classified as independent-contractor services, the contractor will submit invoices according to the agreed schedule and RotorWorks will pay according to the written payment terms. RotorWorks will collect the appropriate tax documentation and issue tax reporting forms as required by law. Independent contractors are responsible for their own tax obligations.

California Classification

Any independent-contractor engagement is subject to review under applicable California and federal law. The parties’ contract, title, or tax reporting treatment alone does not determine worker status. If the proposed arrangement does not qualify for independent-contractor treatment, RotorWorks will discuss an appropriate employment arrangement before work begins.

Interested engineers: Please send relevant project examples, software capabilities, availability, preferred engagement structure, and contract rates. A confidentiality agreement is required before technical files are shared.