Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Engineer – Autonomous Marine Robotics

Location: San Francisco, CA (Fully Onsite)

Industry: Robotics | Autonomous Systems | Marine Technology

Employment Type: Full-Time

We're partnering with a well-funded, San Francisco-based robotics startup developing next-generation autonomous vehicles for surface and subsea operations.

The company designs, manufactures, and operates advanced marine robotic systems supporting critical missions across defense, ocean science, conservation, and commercial applications.

Their technology combines autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and automated launch-and-recovery systems to make ocean operations more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective.

Backed by leading venture capital investors, the company is already deploying its technology globally, working alongside major government, scientific, and commercial organizations.

The engineering team is lean, highly technical, and hands-on. Engineers are involved in the full hardware development lifecycle, from early design and prototyping through fabrication, integration, testing, and real-world ocean deployment.

About the Role

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, develop, and integrate mechanical systems for autonomous surface and underwater vehicles.

This is a hands-on engineering position with ownership across the full product lifecycle, from initial concepts and CAD design to prototyping, manufacturing, and ocean testing.

You'll work on mechanical systems including pressure housings, sealing mechanisms, thruster assemblies, actuators, linkages, and sensor integration, ensuring reliable operation in demanding marine environments.

Working closely with electrical, firmware, software, and acoustics engineers, you'll help develop robust, scalable hardware that enables autonomous systems to operate effectively above and below the ocean surface.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Development

• Design and develop mechanical subsystems for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
• Engineer structural components, pressure housings, sealing systems, thruster assemblies, linkages, and actuation mechanisms.
• Integrate sensors, electronics, and actuators into robust mechanical assemblies.
• Optimize designs for reliability, thermal management, power efficiency, and manufacturability.

Prototyping & Systems Integration

• Own mechanical designs from initial concept through fabrication, assembly, and functional prototyping.
• Collaborate with electrical and firmware engineers to integrate custom electronics and embedded systems.
• Work directly with manufacturing tools, equipment, and hardware to build, modify, and improve prototypes.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical systems throughout the development lifecycle.

Testing & Validation

• Conduct mechanical testing and validation in laboratory and real-world marine environments.
• Identify and resolve design, integration, and reliability issues.
• Support field testing, ocean deployments, and iterative hardware improvements.
• Travel domestically and internationally to support prototype testing and system validation.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent demonstrated engineering experience.
• Strong hands-on experience designing, building, and testing complex mechanical hardware.
• Experience working with marine, underwater, or other ruggedized electromechanical systems.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAE tools such as SolidWorks, Onshape, or Siemens NX.
• Understanding of mechanical design principles, structural integrity, sealing, actuation, and thermal management.
• Experience integrating mechanical assemblies with electronics, sensors, and embedded hardware.
• Familiarity with actuator selection, electromechanical integration, and mechanical system troubleshooting.
• Ability to independently own engineering projects from concept through testing.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with a strong emphasis on practical problem-solving.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally for hardware testing and deployment.

Nice to Have

• Experience developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), or other marine robotics platforms.
• Experience taking hardware products from early prototypes into production.
• Knowledge of high-power electromechanical systems, battery packs, or battery management systems (BMS).
• Experience with CNC machining, CAM software, fabrication, or welding.
• Background in robotics, industrial automation, aerospace, defense, or similarly complex hardware systems.
• Experience designing rotary and linear actuation mechanisms.

Location & Working Arrangements

This is a fully onsite position in San Francisco, California , working directly alongside the engineering and manufacturing teams.

The role involves hands-on hardware development, prototyping, and system integration, making daily in-person collaboration essential.

Domestic and international travel may be required for field testing and ocean deployments, including locations across the United States, Australia, and Europe.