Manager, Aircraft Design & Performance

United States·Palo AltoFull-time (Exempt)mid

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Overview

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop,

Technical Tools

OtherManager

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.

Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.

Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.

Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.

Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.

Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

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.