Director of Mechanical Engineering

Director of Mechanical Engineering

Advanced Robotics & Autonomous Systems

Paris, France | International Search

Salary: Competitive + equity + relocation support

Airbotics Talent are partnered with a well-funded European robotics company developing a new generation of advanced autonomous systems.

We are looking for a Director of Mechanical Engineering to take complete ownership of the platform’s mechanical development, while building the engineering team and prototyping capability around them.

This is not a purely managerial position. You will remain deeply hands-on with mechanical design, simulation, materials and prototyping while establishing the technical standards and capability required to take complex physical systems from early prototype through industrialisation and production.

You will join an ambitious international engineering team, with the opportunity to shape both the platform and the engineering function from an early stage.

The Role

You will own mechanical engineering end-to-end, with responsibility for:

• Defining the mechanical and structural architecture, including structures, housings, mechanisms and component integration
• Developing concepts and detailed designs using 3D CAD
• Selecting materials and manufacturing processes to balance performance, weight, durability and cost
• Applying structural analysis, FEA and fluid-dynamics simulation, then validating designs through physical testing
• Designing for demanding operating conditions, including sealing, pressure, thermal and environmental requirements
• Building and iterating prototypes using machining, 3D printing, composites and mechanical assembly
• Developing test rigs and leading mechanical validation, failure investigation and design improvements
• Integrating mechanical systems with electronics, embedded software and autonomy
• Taking designs towards repeatable production through DFM/DFA, supplier development and manufacturing collaboration
• Building and leading the mechanical engineering team, establishing design standards, reviews and development processes

You will operate as a player-coach: personally solving difficult engineering problems while recruiting and developing the team.

The Person

This role suits a mechanical engineering leader who has personally designed, built and tested complex physical systems and wants to remain close to the engineering.

You are likely to have:

• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience within robotics, aerospace, space, automotive, defence or another complex hardware environment
• Strong hands-on mechanical design and 3D CAD capability
• Experience taking complex electromechanical products from concept through prototype, testing and validation
• Strong understanding of structures, mechanisms, tolerances, materials and manufacturing processes
• Experience using FEA and engineering simulation to inform design decisions, ideally including fluid dynamics and CFD
• Practical workshop and prototyping experience across machining, 3D printing, composites or mechanical assembly
• Experience with DFM/DFA and moving prototypes towards repeatable production
• Previous engineering leadership experience, alongside close collaboration with electronics and software teams

Experience with sealed or pressure-bearing assemblies, harsh-environment systems, advanced composites, propulsion integration or certification would be advantageous.

This role requires substantial hands-on mechanical engineering experience. It is unlikely to suit candidates whose background is primarily electronics or software, or those seeking a purely strategic or people-management position.

Why Join?

• Own the mechanical architecture of a new generation of autonomous systems
• Build the engineering team and prototyping capability from the ground up
• Remain hands-on at Director level, taking designs from first principles through production
• Work alongside an ambitious international team spanning mechanical engineering, electronics, software and autonomy
• Join a well-funded European deep-tech company, with relocation support available for a move to Paris

International Candidates & Relocation

This is an international search. Our client welcomes interest from exceptional European engineering talent currently based across Europe, the US and other global technology hubs who would consider relocating to Paris.

Relocation support is available, and we welcome an initial conversation with candidates who are interested in the opportunity but would like to understand the move and support available before committing.

The position is based in Paris, with regular hands-on access to hardware and engineering facilities, alongside travel for system integration and field testing.

Our client is looking to make this hire immediately. Please apply with a CV for consideration.

Airbotics Talent are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities. All candidates are assessed solely on suitability for our clients’ requirements without regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history or marital status.