Mechanical Engineer

📋 Description

• • A lean, venture-backed robotics startup operating in the defense, emergency response, and industrial sectors is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical systems of their next-generation autonomous ground robots.
• • You'll be joining a small, high-caliber team — with roots at organizations like NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Southwest Research Institute — building platforms engineered to operate in the most demanding environments on earth: extreme heat, corrosive conditions, hazardous atmospheres, and complex terrain.
• • This is a hands-on, ownership-heavy role that spans concept through production and field deployment.
• • You'll design, build, test, and iterate on electro-mechanical assemblies that need to perform with precision and reliability at scale.
• • Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
• • Own complex mechanical systems through all stages of product maturity, from concept to field deployment.
• • Design innovative solutions given system requirements, producing 3D CAD models and proof-of-concepts.
• • Drive rapid concept validation and critical learnings through fast iteration; build test platforms when it's quicker than waiting.
• • Conduct analyses (strength, reliability, assembly) to ensure designs meet requirements.
• • Lead and participate in design reviews and issue triages with cross-disciplinary engineers.
• • Generate assembly layouts and detailed engineering drawings using GD&T concepts.
• • Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure part producibility and quality.
• • Develop and execute testing plans; perform root cause analysis on failures in development and deployment.
• • Design and build jigs, test fixtures, and tooling as required.
• • Assemble systems to test performance, integration, and manufacturing processes.
• • Document design justifications, analyses, test results, and recommendations for traceability.
• • Communicate with end users to clarify requirements and guide feature direction.
• • Strong engineering fundamentals backed by a rigorous academic background or experience at engineering-intensive organizations.
• • Proven track record of leading, building, testing, and troubleshooting mechanical systems — with clear ownership and decisive problem-solving.
• • Prior experience building robots — this is a firm requirement.
• • Experience designing mechanical systems for high-temperature, corrosive, or water-heavy environments.
• • Proficiency with SolidWorks and ANSYS (or equivalent FEA tooling).
• • Experience generating and approving manufacturing drawings with GD&T annotations to industry standards.
• • Experience designing and building jigs, test fixtures, and tooling for mechanical systems.
• • Ability to perform root cause analysis on mechanical failures and drive corrective actions.
• • Experience collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers on part producibility and quality.
• • Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable engaging directly with users and customers to clarify requirements.
• • Willingness to work on-site in Austin, Texas.
• • 2–8 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• • Experience with defense, aerospace, or industrial automation hardware.
• • Background in prototyping and hardware testing in lab or manufacturing environments.
• • Familiarity with electro-mechanical integration in autonomous or remotely operated systems.
• • Salary: $90,000 – $150,000 USD annually, depending on experience.
• • Equity participation in a well-funded early-stage company.
• • Visa sponsorship available.
• • This is a fully on-site role based in Austin, Texas. Candidates must be willing to work on-site full time.