Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

We're looking for our first Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer to help define how Neros approaches automation as we scale production. This person will identify opportunities, decide where automation makes sense-and where it doesn't-and use data and ROI to recommend the right solutions.

The role focuses on developing the high-level architecture and physical design of manufacturing equipment, including machines, tooling, and fixtures. This person will work with controls, robotics, vision, and software engineers to integrate and deploy complete systems into production.

Responsibilities

• Identify production bottlenecks and opportunities to improve throughput, quality, safety, and consistency.
• Evaluate automation opportunities against simpler solutions, including process improvements, fixtures, and operator-assist tools.
• Build business cases using production volume, cycle time, yield, equipment cost, labor, maintenance, and expected payback.
• Lead the mechanical design and deployment of equipment, tooling, fixtures, and automated or semi-automated stations.
• Design mechanical systems, equipment, semi-automated stations, and end-of-arm tooling using 3D CAD software.
• Define equipment requirements and oversee suppliers and integrators through design, build, acceptance testing, installation, and production release. Support system commissioning.
• Lead cross-functional work with controls, robotics, vision, software, electrical, and test engineers to integrate systems, troubleshoot issues, and improve equipment on the production floor.

You should have the following

• 7+ years of experience designing, building, and deploying manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, or automation systems in a production environment.
• Experience identifying and prioritizing automation opportunities using data, cost, risk, and expected return.
• Proven ability to lead equipment projects from problem definition through production deployment while maintaining hands-on technical ownership.
• Strong mechanical design skills and proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Experience designing mechanisms, part-location and clamping systems, fixtures, or machine structures.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, troubleshooting, and improving equipment.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver reliable production equipment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with machine safety risk assessments, guarding, safety interlocks, or relevant machinery safety standards.
• Experience scaling equipment and processes from NPI builds to high-volume production.
• Familiarity with pneumatics, actuators, motion components, and material-handling systems.
• Experience working with controls, machine vision, or robotics teams to integrate complete equipment.
• Experience with drones, robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, or other electromechanical products.

US Salary Range

$149,500 - $209,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.

We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.