Propulsion Mechanical Engineer (Combustion) -… at Pyka · Alameda

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a Propulsion Mechanical Engineer with a passion for combustion engines to join our fast-moving team. In this role, you will bridge the gap between traditional airframe design and propulsion integration. You will take ownership of mechanical components and subsystems—specifically those involving our engine and thermal management systems—and support them from conceptualization through serial production.

This role is for an engineer who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. You’ll be expected to move quickly, perform your own analysis, and spend as much time in the prototyping shop as you do in CAD.

Some of your first projects will include:

• Engine Integration: Packaging and mounting engine subsystems (cooling, fueling, and exhaust) into the airframe while managing vibration and thermal loads.
• Performance Validation: Designing and running test stands to quantify engine performance (boost, EGT, power output) and iterating on designs based on real-world data.
• Reliability Improvements: Redesigning existing engine-related components to improve durability and ease of maintenance in the field.

Responsibilities

• Design Responsible Engineer (DRE): Take full ownership of specific mechanical components, from requirement definition through prototyping, testing, and serial production.
• Propulsion Systems Design: Design mounts, cooling ducts, and integration hardware for combustion systems, ensuring they meet strict weight and performance targets.
• Analysis & Validation: Use a mix of hand calculations and FEA/CFD to validate stress, stiffness, and thermal management (e.g., coolant flow and heat rejection).
• Prototyping & Testing: Lead hands-on assembly of propulsion systems and design the necessary tooling/fixtures to support testing and manufacturing.
• Documentation: Create and maintain high-fidelity 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and detailed engineering drawings with meticulous attention to GD&T.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with Manufacturing and Flight Test teams to root-cause hardware bugs and implement solutions rapidly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: 1–4+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, ideally in aerospace, automotive, or high-performance vehicles (strong internship, co-op, or intensive university hands-on project team experience—like Formula SAE, DBF, or Rocketry—is highly valued)
• The “Engine Touch”: A strong technical or personal background with combustion engines. You understand the levers for power (fueling, turbos) and the thermal implications of high-output systems.
• First Principles: Ability to perform basic sizing and "back-of-the-envelope" calculations for fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics.
• CAD & Simulation: Proficiency in 3D CAD and experience using FEA to validate design decisions.
• Manufacturing Exposure: Basic understanding of designing parts for CNC machining, sheet metal, 3D printing, and composite integration.
• Hands-on Mindset: Excitement to be in the shop building, instrumenting, and "wrenching" on hardware.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; a proactive problem-solver who asks for clarification and provides candid feedback.

Compensation & Benefits

• Mechanical Engineer: $101,000 - $121,000 + equity.

• Mechanical Engineer II: $118,000–$142,000 + equity.

• Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.

• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance

• FSA with employer matching

• 401(k)

• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off

• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance

• Pre-tax commuter benefits

• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.