Job Description
About the Role
A lean, venture-backed robotics startup focused on autonomous ground robots for emergency response, industrial operations, and defense is hiring a Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical systems of its harsh-environment platforms. These robots are engineered to operate where humans cannot — navigating extreme terrains and surviving conditions including high temperatures, corrosive environments, and water-heavy settings.
You'll join a small, highly capable engineering team (with backgrounds spanning aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing) and have direct influence over the robustness and performance of fielded autonomous systems — from first concept through production and deployment.
Visa sponsorship is available for this role.
What You'll Do
- Own complex electro-mechanical systems end-to-end through all stages of product maturity.
- 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 the fastest path to answers.
- 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 needed.
- 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.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- Solid engineering fundamentals backed by a strong educational background or experience at engineering-rigorous organizations.
- Hands-on experience building robots — you've designed, assembled, and tested robotic systems.
- Proven ability to own the full product lifecycle from concept through field deployment.
- Experience designing mechanical systems for high-temperature, corrosive, or water-heavy environments.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks (CAD) and ANSYS (FEA).
- Experience generating and approving manufacturing drawings with GD&T annotations to industry standards.
- Experience designing and building jigs, test fixtures, and tooling.
- Proven track record of performing root cause analysis on mechanical failures and driving 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.
- Willingness to work on-site in Austin, Texas.
Nice to Have:
- 2–8 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
- Background in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Experience with prototyping and hardware testing in lab or manufacturing settings.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $90,000 – $150,000 USD annually, depending on experience.
- Visa sponsorship available.
Location
This is a full-time, on-site role based in Austin, Texas, United States. Remote work is not available for this position.
Originally posted on Himalayas
