Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer - Austin, TX -- hybrid

Our Austin, TX client is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and deliver critical hardware systems for our next-generation VR headset platform. This role sits at the intersection of industrial design, electrical integration, and human factors, with direct responsibility for mechanical architectures that impact comfort, sensor performance, manufacturability, and overall product reliability. This is not a pure CAD or sustaining role. The ideal candidate has experience building and shipping complex consumer electronics or wearable devices, and is comfortable working through ambiguity, rapid iteration, and cross-functional integration challenges.


This is a permanent opportunity with a target salary of $1 5 0,000 and a great benefits package . The selected candidate will work a hybrid schedule with 3 days in the office , and at this time , there is no C2C consideration.

What You'll Own

1. Mechanical Design & Product Architecture

• Design mechanical systems and assemblies for VR headsets, including:

• Enclosures and structural frames
• Optical/sensor mounting systems
• Thermal management solutions
• Strap and fit systems

• Contribute to overall product architecture, balancing:

• Comfort and ergonomics
• Structural integrity
• Weight distribution
• Thermal and electrical constraints

• Create 3D models, detailed drawings, and tolerance analyses for production-ready designs


2. Cross-Functional Hardware Integration

• Work closely with Electrical, Firmware, and Software teams to integrate:

• Sensors (EEG, PPG, IMU, eye tracking, etc.)
• Displays and optics
• Batteries and power systems

• Resolve integration challenges involving:

• Sensor placement and signal quality
• EMI/EMC and grounding considerations
• Cable routing and connector reliability

• Participate in system-level tradeoffs across mechanical, electrical, and user experience domains


3. Prototyping, Build & Validation

• Drive rapid prototyping from early concept through EVT builds:

• 3D printed assemblies
• Soft tooling and early production processes

• Support build cycles (Proto, EVT, DVT), including:

• Hands-on assembly and debug
• Fit, finish, and functional validation

• Identify and resolve issues related to:

• Mechanical tolerances
• Assembly variation
• Structural or durability failures

4. DFM, Manufacturing & Supplier Engagement

• Design for manufacturability (DFM), assembly (DFA), and cost at scale
• Work with suppliers and contract manufacturers to:

Refine tooling strategies & r eview mold flow, tolerance stack-ups, and yield risks

• Support transition from EVT DVT PVT with increasing design maturity
• Evaluate and implement "steel-safe" changes where needed

5. Human Factors & Wearability

• Design for long-duration wear:

• Pressure distribution , Fit adjustability , Skin-contact materials

• Partner with research and product teams to iterate on:

• Comfort vs. sensor performance tradeoffs
• Strap tension vs. signal quality interactions

• Validate designs through user testing and feedback


Experience & Background Required


• 4-8 years of mechanical engineering experience in consumer electronics, wearables, or similar products

• Experience designing and shipping products with tight integration between mechanical, electrical, and user-facing systems

• Strong CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or equivalent)

• Experience with tolerance analysis and mechanical stack-ups

• Hands-on experience with prototyping, assembly, and debugging physical hardware

• Experience working through at least one full product development cycle (prototype production)

• Strong Materials Science background surrounding soft systems, wearable electronics

Preferred Experience


• Experience working on VR/AR headsets or wearable devices

• Experience integrating sensors (optical, biosignal, or motion sensing) into physical products

• Familiarity with:

• Injection molding, soft goods, and over molding
• Thermal management in compact devices • Lightweight structural design

• Experience working with contract manufacturers (CMs/JDMs)

• Exposure to EVT/DVT/PVT build cycles and production ramp


What Success Looks Like


• Delivers robust mechanical designs that hold up across EVT and into DVT with minimal rework

• Anticipates integration challenges early and drives cross-functional solutions

• Balances comfort, performance, and manufacturability without over-indexing on one dimension

• Operates effectively in a fast-paced, iterative environment with evolving requirements


Contact Martha Michaux View email address on click.appcast.io with questions regarding this posting. A Word resume is preferred when applying.


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