Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Systems / Robotics Hardware)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Company Stage: Early-Stage Defense / Robotics Startup
Office Type: Onsite
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 (+ Equity)
Company Description
This early-stage robotics company is building low-cost, autonomous swarm systems designed for real-world, high-impact environments. Their platform focuses on scalable, rugged hardware paired with intelligent autonomy, enabling coordinated behavior across fleets of ground robots. Backed by experienced founders from top-tier autonomous systems and aerospace organizations, the company is tackling mission-critical challenges in defense and beyond.
What You Will Do
- Lead mechanical design and integration efforts for autonomous ground vehicle systems
- Design and develop ruggedized hardware solutions for sensors, compute systems, and custom components
- Own hardware development from concept through prototyping, testing, and production
- Collaborate with suppliers and OEM partners to evaluate designs, requirements, and manufacturability
- Integrate mechanical systems across vehicle platforms to support autonomy and durability in harsh environments
- Drive full product lifecycle execution, including design validation, iteration, and deployment
- Work cross-functionally with electrical, embedded, and autonomy teams to ensure system-level performance
Ideal Background
- 2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in robotics, automotive, or hardware startups
- Strong CAD experience designing both prototype and production-ready components
- Experience owning hardware systems through full development cycles
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, injection molding, fabrication, etc.)
- Experience evaluating supplier designs, test plans, and technical requirements
- Ability to collaborate effectively with external vendors and internal cross-functional teams
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments
- Willingness and eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance
- Ability to relocate to Phoenix, AZ
Preferred
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics
- Experience designing ruggedized systems for off-road or defense applications
- Background working on autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, or similar hardware systems
- Experience meeting or designing toward DoD or other high-reliability standards
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive base salary + equity
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems with real-world impact
- High ownership role with end-to-end hardware responsibility
- Fast-paced, mission-driven environment with direct influence on product direction
- Exposure to complex, multidisciplinary engineering challenges across robotics, autonomy, and hardware systems
This role is ideal for a hands-on mechanical engineer who wants full ownership over hardware systems and thrives building rugged, real-world robotics products from the ground up.