Aerospace and Defense, Best Practices, CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), Cross-Functional, Debugging Skills, Design Services, Electricity, Hardware Development, Leadership, Machine Tool, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Systems, Manufacturing/Industrial Processes, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Mentoring, Multitasking, Product Engineering, Prototyping, Robotics, System Architecture, System Integration (SI), Technical Leadership, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Vendor/Supplier Management
LOCATION
Palo Alto, CA
POSTED
19 days ago
Our partner is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the core team and help lead the design, development, and execution of hardware systems across new ventures.
This is a hands-on, 01 role. You'll work across multiple projects, often at the earliest stages, helping define system architecture, build prototypes, and bring products from concept into the real world. You'll operate as both a technical leader and a builder, working closely with founders, engineers, and operators.
If you've built complex hardware systems in fast-moving environments and enjoy turning ideas into working products, this role will feel familiar.
What you'll do
Lead mechanical design and development across early-stage hardware programs
Own projects from concept through prototyping, testing, and early production
Define system architecture and make key design decisions around structure, materials, thermal performance, and manufacturability
Build and iterate quickly, hands-on with prototyping, testing, and debugging
Work cross-functionally with electrical, software, and product teams to ensure tight system integration
Partner directly with founders and leadership on technical direction and execution
Establish early engineering processes, tooling, and best practices as companies scale
Mentor and guide other engineers as teams grow
What we're looking for
8–15+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, ideally in hardware-heavy environments (robotics, aerospace, automotive, energy, or similar)
Proven track record of building and shipping real-world systems
Strong CAD and mechanical design experience
Deep understanding of materials, structural design, thermal systems, and manufacturing processes
Comfortable working across the full lifecycle, from early concepts to production
Experience operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
Strong ownership mindset and ability to operate independently
Nice to have
Experience in early-stage or venture-backed environments
Background in drones, robotics, or autonomous systems
Exposure to high-performance or lightweight structures
Experience with vendor management and manufacturing scale-up
Why this role
Work on multiple 01 companies, not just a single product
High ownership and direct impact on company formation
Small, highly technical team
Opportunity to shape both product and engineering culture from day one
Job Title and Compensation
The compensation range for this position is between $180,000 and $280,000, based on full-time employment.
Actual salaries are based on several factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, certifications, and work location.
Open positions are based on job competencies that are specific to each role. If you are offered a position, the job title may be different from what is advertised to align with the role's competencies and your specific background, experience, and interview results.