Mechanical Engineer

About the Role A lean, fast-moving robotics company building rugged, multi-mission Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for the most demanding environments on earth — including high-temperature (1,200°F+), corrosive, and water-heavy conditions — is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join its Austin-based team. Their platforms serve emergency response, industrial operations, and defense customers, and are designed to operate where humans cannot safely go. This is a high-ownership, hands-on role. You'll be responsible for the full mechanical lifecycle of electro-mechanical assemblies — from early concept through production and field deployment. Your work will directly shape the robustness and performance of autonomous systems operating in genuinely hazardous conditions. Visa sponsorship is available. What You'll Do 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 and rigs when it's faster than waiting. Conduct analyses (strength, reliability, assembly) to validate designs before fabrication. Lead and participate in design reviews and issue triages with cross-disciplinary engineers, ensuring alignment and buy-in. Generate assembly layouts and detailed engineering drawings using GD&T concepts. Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure parts are well-produced. Develop and execute testing plans; perform root cause analysis on failures during development and deployment. Design and build jigs, test fixtures, and tooling as needed. Assemble systems to evaluate performance, integration, and manufacturing processes. Document design justifications, analyses, test results, and recommendations. Communicate directly with end users to clarify requirements and inform feature direction. What We're Looking For Must-haves: Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D CAD and ANSYS for finite element analysis. Proven track record of leading, building, testing, and troubleshooting mechanical systems with strong ownership and decisive problem-solving. Experience with prototyping and hardware testing in a lab or manufacturing environment. Prior experience designing and building robots. Solid engineering fundamentals — strong academic background or experience at engineering-rigorous organizations (e.g., aerospace, defense, or national labs). Experience designing mechanical systems for high-temperature, corrosive, or water-heavy environments . Ability to own the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept through production and field deployment. Nice to have: Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills across engineering, manufacturing, and QA teams. Background in aerospace, defense, or industrial robotics (e.g., NASA, Lockheed Martin, Southwest Research Institute, or similar organizations). Experience level: Approximately 2–8 years of relevant industry experience. Compensation & Benefits Salary: $90,000 – $150,000 USD annually, depending on experience. Visa sponsorship available. Location On-site in Austin, Texas . This is not a remote or hybrid role — in-person presence is required.