Design Engineer
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA (Kent, WA)
This opportunity is with one of Gardner Standard's portfolio companies, Pacific Aero Tech, located in Kent, Washington.
Pacific Aero Tech (PAT) is an FAA Part 145 Repair Station specializing in aerospace transparencies, advanced repair development, and innovative engineering solutions supporting commercial and military aircraft operators worldwide.
Build Solutions That Keep Aircraft Flying
Pacific Aero Tech is looking for a Design Engineer who wants to do more than sit behind a CAD screen. This is an opportunity to solve complex aerospace challenges, develop innovative repair solutions for commercial and military aircraft, and see your work move from concept through certification and into production.
You will work alongside experienced engineers, technicians, quality professionals, and aviation experts to develop FAA-approved repairs that extend the life of critical aircraft components. If you enjoy hands-on problem solving, research and development, and making a visible impact in a growing aerospace organization, we'd like to hear from you.
What You'll Have the Opportunity to Do
- Develop innovative repair solutions that support commercial and military aviation customers.
- Reverse engineer complex aerospace components and create new repair capabilities.
- Lead engineering projects from concept and testing through certification and production implementation.
- Work directly with FAA-regulated processes and aerospace certification requirements.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and leadership to bring new ideas to life.
- Make a visible impact in a growing aerospace organization where engineers have meaningful ownership and responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Reverse Engineering & Design Development
- Reverse engineer aerospace components and create complete engineering definitions.
- Develop 3D models, engineering drawings, and documentation using SolidWorks.
- Apply GD&T principles in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
- Utilize metrology techniques to establish accurate part definitions and critical dimensions.
- Ensure engineering data complies with FAA regulations, airworthiness requirements, and Part 145 repair standards.
Research, Development & Experimentation
- Design and execute R&D experiments to validate new repair methods, materials, tooling, and processes.
- Build and evaluate prototype components, assemblies, and fixtures.
- Analyze test results and refine designs based on engineering findings.
- Develop and validate process parameters across thermal, mechanical, material, and electrical applications as required.
- Translate experimental outcomes into repeatable and production-ready solutions.
Certification & Technical Documentation
- Develop qualification and certification test plans.
- Author engineering reports, substantiation documents, and compliance narratives.
- Maintain detailed technical documentation and program traceability.
- Serve as a technical liaison between internal teams, suppliers, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Define engineering specifications, acceptance criteria, and repair standards.
Production Support & Implementation
- Convert approved engineering data into shop-floor-ready work instructions and inspection criteria.
- Support production implementation and ramp-up activities.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and drive corrective engineering actions.
- Ensure new repair processes are robust, repeatable, scalable, and cost-effective.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related ABET-accredited discipline.
- 2+ years of engineering experience in a regulated industry such as aerospace, medical device, defense, or similar technical environments.
- Experience supporting R&D, testing, and certification-driven engineering projects.
- Strong proficiency with SolidWorks and engineering documentation.
- Understanding of GD&T, metrology, and reverse engineering principles.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
- Experience with tooling design and development.
- Ability to work hands-on in manufacturing, laboratory, and shop environments.
- Experience working directly with suppliers and vendors to support testing and engineered solutions.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident due to customer and regulatory requirements.
Preferred
- FAA Part 145 or Part 21 experience.
- Familiarity with FAA regulations, DER processes, and conformity requirements.
- Experience with aerospace transparencies, bonded structures, or complex assemblies.
- Experience authoring engineering substantiation packages and test reports.
- Composite materials experience.
- Electrical design experience.
- Qualification and certification testing experience.
Why Join Pacific Aero Tech?
- Work on real aerospace engineering challenges supporting commercial and military aviation customers.
- Take ownership of projects from concept through certification and production implementation.
- Gain exposure to FAA regulations, certification testing, reverse engineering, advanced repair development, and manufacturing.
- Join a collaborative team where engineers have direct visibility and influence on business results.
- Be part of a growing organization investing in innovation, engineering capability, and long-term career development.
Pay: $86,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
Pay: $86,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
