Lead Mechanical Engineer

Lead Mechanical Engineer - Advanced Hardware Systems

Austin, Texas | On-site

A venture-backed deep technology company is developing advanced hardware systems that leverage next-generation computing and communications technologies. The products combine precision mechanical design, complex electronics, advanced materials, and highly automated manufacturing processes to enable performance levels not achievable through conventional approaches. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will own the design and development of critical hardware assemblies, helping define how sophisticated technologies transition from prototype to scalable production. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving multidisciplinary engineering challenges while working closely with electrical, manufacturing, and systems teams in a fast-paced startup environment.

We are a growing startup focused on building advanced hardware platforms for commercial and national security applications. Success requires exceptional engineering across product design, manufacturing, reliability, and system integration. Our team is building technology intended to operate at scale, with a strong emphasis on automation, precision, and practical execution. We operate with a hands-on, engineering-driven culture where ownership is expected and strong execution is valued. Team members have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both the product and the future direction of the company while working alongside experienced leaders from advanced technology, manufacturing, and hardware-focused industries.

Job Duties

• Lead mechanical engineering efforts from concept development through production readiness and manufacturing scale-up
• Design, analyze, prototype, and validate critical mechanical assemblies and subsystems
• Define mechanical architecture, packaging strategies, and interface requirements across complex hardware systems
• Develop tolerance strategies and ensure successful integration across mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces
• Drive design-for-manufacturing, design-for-assembly, and design-for-test initiatives throughout the product lifecycle
• Perform structural, thermal, and reliability analyses to identify risks and guide engineering decisions
• Establish validation plans and testing methodologies to verify performance and long-term durability
• Partner closely with electrical, manufacturing, systems, and process engineering teams to resolve design challenges and integration tradeoffs
• Work directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support prototyping, qualification, and production readiness
• Lead design reviews and maintain high standards for engineering documentation and technical rigor
• Mentor and support junior engineers while helping scale the mechanical engineering organization
• Contribute to recruiting, hiring, and development of future team members

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience developing complex hardware products from concept through production
• Strong foundation in mechanics of materials, thermal analysis, tolerance analysis, and mechanical system design
• Experience designing precision assemblies with demanding performance and reliability requirements
• Proficiency with professional CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent
• Experience using FEA tools for structural analysis and design validation
• Demonstrated experience working directly with suppliers, machine shops, manufacturers, and external partners
• Proven ability to lead technical efforts across cross-functional engineering teams
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to operate in a fast-moving startup environment
• Ability to support critical project milestones when additional effort is required

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing advanced hardware products within aerospace, defense, robotics, semiconductor, industrial automation, computing infrastructure, or related industries
• Experience with precision electromechanical systems and tightly integrated hardware assemblies
• Background in high-density packaging, thermal management, or advanced manufacturing environments
• Experience with thermal simulation and computational analysis tools
• Familiarity with automated manufacturing systems and production-scale hardware development
• Experience designing components that require tight tolerances and repeatable assembly processes
• Knowledge of reliability testing, environmental qualification, and product validation methodologies
• Familiarity with engineering change management, configuration control, and PLM systems
• Experience supporting production transitions from prototype builds to volume manufacturing

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to work on technically challenging products at the intersection of advanced hardware, manufacturing, and next-generation technology
• Significant ownership and influence over product architecture and engineering decisions
• Direct exposure to multidisciplinary engineering challenges and rapid product development cycles
• Equity participation with meaningful long-term upside potential
• Opportunity to help build and shape a growing engineering organization
• Collaborative, execution-focused environment where strong technical contributions have immediate impact

$150,000 - $190,000