About the Role
Join a small defense technology team developing autonomous directed-energy systems for counter-drone applications. As Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will own system-wide mechanical architecture and help take complex hardware from prototype through production and field deployment.
What You'll Do
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Lead mechanical architecture and integration across electrical, power, embedded, and optics subsystems.
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Make technical decisions on challenging hardware problems from concept through production readiness.
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Guide hardware release and production processes in partnership with manufacturing teams.
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Review designs, calculations, and test results to identify risks early and maintain high engineering standards.
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Personally execute mechanical design work when your experience can resolve a problem quickly.
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Balance cost, mass, reliability, schedule, and field performance in design and manufacturing decisions.
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Mentor engineers through hands-on technical leadership and design reviews.
What We're Looking For
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10 or more years designing and shipping complex hardware systems, including multiple transitions from prototype through manufacturing and deployment.
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Mechanical engineering is your primary discipline, with recent hands-on experience in CAD, structures, mechanisms, and packaging.
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Deep mechanical expertise and sound judgment in at least one additional area, such as electrical engineering, power electronics, or embedded systems.
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Experience leading full-system hardware integration and designing equipment for demanding real-world environments.
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Ability to correlate FEA or hand calculations with bench or field test data.
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Background as a senior individual contributor or technical lead at a hardware organization that shipped products.
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Experience in defense hardware, aerospace, robotics, high-performance automotive, maritime, or a related field is valuable. Directed energy, laser or high-power systems, thermal management, ruggedized equipment, and manufacturing scale-up experience are also relevant.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary: $235,000 to $305,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Location
On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.
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