Manager, Aircraft Design & Performance

PivotalPalo Alto, California

$195,000 - $220,000 / year

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Overview

Schedule

Full-time

Education

Engineering (PE)

Career level

Director

Remote

On-site

Compensation

$195,000-$220,000/year

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Job Description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in early 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

The Aeromechanical team at Pivotal is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Manager, Aircraft Design & Performance to join our team. This role sits at the center of aircraft development and works closely with propulsion, structures, flight controls, manufacturing, test, and executive leadership teams to shape the direction of future aircraft platforms.

Responsibilities:

Lead aircraft-level design, sizing, and performance development for electric aircraft platforms.

Own multidisciplinary vehicle trade studies including weight, aerodynamics, propulsion integration, mission performance, stability, controllability, thermal constraints, manufacturability, and operational capability.

Drive rapid concept iteration and down-selection using simulation, analysis, testing, and engineering judgment.

Develop and maintain aircraft performance models and sizing tools to support design decisions and program planning.

Define high-level aircraft architecture and guide configuration development from early concept through prototype and flight test.

Work cross-functionally with propulsion, structures, electrical, software, controls, manufacturing, and flight test teams to drive integrated vehicle development.

Lead technical decision-making under aggressive timelines and evolving program requirements.
Support wind tunnel testing, propulsion testing, flight testing, and correlation of simulation models to real-world data.
Mentor and grow a small multidisciplinary engineering team while maintaining deep individual technical contribution.
Identify technical risks early and drive practical engineering solutions with a strong bias toward execution and rapid iteration.
Help establish scalable engineering workflows, analysis methods, and development processes appropriate for a fast-moving aerospace startup.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or equivalent field
Experience with eVTOL, UAV, or unconventional aircraft configurations.
Experience developing conceptual and preliminary aircraft sizing tools.
Experience with CFD and aerospace analysis tools such as STAR-CCM+, XFLR5/FLOW5, OpenVSP, Simulia/3DEXPERIENCE, MATLAB, or Python.
Flight test, prototype development, or rapid hardware iteration experience.
Experience building internal engineering tools and automation workflows.
Experience balancing technical performance with manufacturing and operational constraints.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in early aircraft development/sizing.

Comfortable owning major aircraft-level decisions with incomplete information.

Naturally gravitates toward first-principles engineering and rapid iteration.

Strong systems thinker capable of connecting aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, controls, and operations into a cohesive vehicle design.

Excited by ambiguity, rapid development cycles, and building unconventional aircraft with small, high-output teams.

$195,000 - $220,000 a year

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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FAQs About Manager, Aircraft Design & Performance Jobs at Pivotal

What is the work location for this position at Pivotal?

This job at Pivotal is located in Palo Alto, California, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.

What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Pivotal?

Candidates can expect a pay range of $195,000 and $220,000 per year.

What employment applies to this position at Pivotal?

Pivotal lists this role as a Full-time position.

What experience level is required for this role at Pivotal?

Pivotal is looking for a candidate with "Director" experience level.

What education level is required for this job?

The education requirement for this position is Engineering (PE). Candidates with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience may also be considered.

What benefits are offered by Pivotal for this role?

Pivotal offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, and 401k Matching/Retirement Savings for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.

What is the process to apply for this position at Pivotal?

You can apply for this role at Pivotal either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.