Job Description

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)

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.