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Dominion Dynamics is seeking a Senior Advanced Design Engineer to lead structural and systems architecture from concept through defence-program certification. You will own layouts, trade studies, interfaces, and material/architecture decisions on a platform where design freeze has not yet occurred—your calls now determine what becomes expensive to fix later.
Unlike mature OEMs with established design standards, you will help set those standards while executing the design work itself, across metallic and composite construction, with certification as a constraint from day one. You will work daily with Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Avionics, and Systems Engineering to keep structure and interfaces converging with the rest of the vehicle, and you will see design decisions move from CAD to hardware quickly rather than waiting through multiple review cycles.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead conceptual and preliminary design for structural architectures, interfaces, surfacing, and systems integration
- Perform design layouts and sizing across configurations and trade studies for primary and secondary structures
- Run and contribute to design reviews; improve design processes and methodologies as the team builds them
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure designs are feasible, manufacturable, and compliant with regulatory requirements
- Set modelling standards and workflows for structures and systems teams as the function scales
- Represent structures and systems engineering in program reviews, customer interactions, and supplier engagements
The role reports to the Director of Structures and is full-time, on-site in Ottawa (with Toronto or Montreal considered).
REQUIREMENTS:
- 10+ years in aerospace structural design at an OEM or equivalent, spanning aerodynamics, propulsion, materials, and Part 23/25 certification
- Proficiency in CAD (CATIA V5, 3DEXPERIENCE, or NX) and familiarity with simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Altair)
- Strong background in metallic and composite materials and design-for-manufacturing trade-offs
- Advanced surface modeling for conceptual layouts
- Comfortable building process and standards, not just working inside them—this is not a mature design organization yet
NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience in an aerospace startup or advanced air mobility program
- Published technical work or patents in structural or aerospace design
- Knowledge of FAA/TCCA/EASA regulations beyond your home certification basis
- Direct flight test or hardware integration experience alongside design work
- Manufacturing support, in-service, or flight support experience
- No defence background required; the company has hired people who did not tick every box
