Description
****Statement to Applicants: This position is unable to accommodate sponsorship****
Central UAS Technologies, a vertical of Central Life Sciences, is dedicated to the creation of uncrewed aerial systems which have a direct positive impact on public health, quality of life and innovative technologies for the agricultural industry. Your meaningful work will help reduce the spread of vector-borne disease, as well as limit the amount of chemicals or emissions released into the environment (through rural and urban municipalities, agricultural applications, horticultural applications, and more!). You’ll accomplish this work from our assembly shop in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Our parent company is Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT and CENTA); we offer an amazing educational assistance program in addition to great medical, dental, vision, which you will be eligible the first of the month following 30 days, plus free life and free disability insurance. Our 401k has a 3% match, and you are eligible day one. We also offer pet insurance and other voluntary benefits. Please see our website at www.central.com for additional company information.
The Mechanical Engineer (R&D) supports the structural and mechanical design of UAS platforms, including airframes, mounts, and protective structures. Working within the R&D organization, this role helps convert performance and integration requirements into mechanical solutions that are lightweight, durable, and production-ready.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Structural and Integration Design
- Participate in the design of frames, brackets, mounts, and enclosures that achieve required stiffness, vibration performance, and durability targets
- Work with Sr. Staff Mechanical and Integration Engineers to ensure that mechanical solutions support electrical, payload, and serviceability needs
CAD, Drawings, and Tolerancing
- Use CAD tools to generate models, assemblies, and detailed drawings with appropriate tolerancing
- Ensure that drawings and documentation support efficient manufacturing, inspection, and assembly at the production facility
Prototype Build and Test Support
- Support prototype fabrication, fit checks, and mechanical testing, capturing lessons learned and feeding them into design revisions.
- Participate in R&D and flight tests to observe mechanical performance, identify issues, and support rapid iteration
Manufacturability and Line Readiness
- Work with other Manufacturing Engineers to evaluate manufacturability of designs, adjust geometry or features to ease production, and ensure that fixtures and tools can reliably support assembly
- Contribute to design reviews with an explicit focus on production impact and cost
Documentation and Release
- Maintain up-to-date mechanical documentation and supports the transition of designs from R&D to controlled production baselines
- Ensure that part numbers, revisions, and associated files are cleanly handed off to documentation and quality teams.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with UAS platforms, airframes, mounts, and mechanical integration
- CAD and solid-modeling experience
- Understanding of tolerancing, fit, and design for manufacturability
- Experience supporting prototype builds, test fits, or mechanical validation
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, assemblies, and controlled documentation
- Strong collaboration skills with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams
- Aircraft assembly, maintenance, or RC aircraft experience preferred
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
- BS/BA in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, UAS, or a related field
- 2+ years of professional, related experience
- Experience supporting mechanical design, prototype fabrication, or system integration
- Ability to read and work from engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Familiarity with mechanical assembly processes and shop practices in a prototype or production environment
- Experience with fit checks, mechanical testing, or design iteration support
- Valid driver’s license required
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Based in a UAS assembly and engineering environment in Daytona Beach, Florida
- Frequent use of CAD software, hand tools, and prototype/shop equipment
- Work may involve standing, walking, bending, reaching, and working in a hands-on build environment
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs on a frequent basis
- Occasional travel required for test support, flight support, or field validation
POSITION INFORMATION
- This position pays $23 - $25 per hour depending on experience
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Free Life and Disability Insurance
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
- Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to thousands of free online courses
- Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
- Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
- Referral Program with cash bonus
- Access to on-demand pay
- Paid parental leave
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.