Senior Mechanical Engineer Manager

A full-time, hybrid role in the Bay Area for a mid-to-senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in vehicle assembly, load dynamics, fabrication, and actuation. The role begins as soon as possible and is structured around a critical, high-stakes build sprint. Reporting directly to the CTO and managing a team of roughly five engineers, this person takes complete ownership of structural assemblies, actuation mechanisms, and the integration of electro-mechanical subsystems to bring our next 15-ft and 35–50-ft prototypes to life (hull hydrodynamics sits with the naval architect). It suits someone who thrives in early-stage, hardware-heavy environments such as aerospace, race cars, or autonomous vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate structural components, mounting brackets, and mechanical assemblies for the 15-ft and 35-ft prototype vessels.

• End-to-end ownership: fully own structural components, mechanical assemblies, and vehicle-dynamics/actuation subsystems from CAD to deployment.

• Rapid CAD-to-reality: use SolidWorks for detailed manufacturing designs, source materials, conduct fit checks, and iterate relentlessly based on structural testing.

• Hands-on fabrication: perform machining, metalwork, composites, and rapid prototyping directly on the shop floor.

• Field deployment: integrate subsystems with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot on the fly, and operate as a core maritime crew member during ocean deployments and sea trials.

• Manage and develop a team of ~5 engineers through a high-stakes build sprint.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, with 6+ years of experience in vehicle dynamics, robotics, UAVs, or high-performance mechanical systems.

• High proficiency in SolidWorks, with strong practical intuition for GD&T, DFM, and structural analysis.

• Extensive hands-on fabrication experience: machining, prototype assembly, metalwork, and composites.

• Proven ability to manage multiple rapid deadlines independently and own early-stage hardware from sketch to functional deployment.

• This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export-control laws (ITAR/EAR). You must be able to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements, which may include qualifying as a "U.S. person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual).

Nice to Have

• 8+ years of hands-on R&D experience with vehicles or complex mechanical systems.

• Experience building early-stage hardware prototypes from concept to deployed product.

• Hydraulic actuator design and integration experience.

• Composite design and fabrication knowledge.

• Experience with vessel or off-road vehicle structural systems.

• Operational experience working with deployed vehicles or maritime platforms.

This role is for you if

• ✓You're relentlessly hands-on — on the shop floor cutting, drilling, welding, and assembling, not just managing builds.

• ✓You design elegantly and build with speed, owning the work from initial CAD to the final physical product.

• ✓You translate ambiguous, high-level ideas into robust, functional assemblies using first-principles thinking.

• ✓You're driven to build critical technology and thrive in high-velocity, high-stakes environments.

This is NOT for you if

• ×You prefer managing builds over being hands-on in the shop.

• ×You need large-team infrastructure or well-defined processes to be effective.

• ×You are not comfortable with rapid iteration, shifting priorities, or early-stage ambiguity.