Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Systems / Robotics Hardware)

Who is Recruiting from Scratch:
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Role: Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Systems / Robotics Hardware)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Company Stage: Early-Stage Defense / Robotics Startup
Office Type: Onsite
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 (+ Equity)

Company Description
This early-stage robotics company is building low-cost, autonomous swarm systems designed for real-world, high-impact environments. Their platform focuses on scalable, rugged hardware paired with intelligent autonomy, enabling coordinated behavior across fleets of ground robots. Backed by experienced founders from top-tier autonomous systems and aerospace organizations, the company is tackling mission-critical challenges in defense and beyond.

What You Will Do
Lead mechanical design and integration efforts for autonomous ground vehicle systems
Design and develop ruggedized hardware solutions for sensors, compute systems, and custom components
Own hardware development from concept through prototyping, testing, and production
Collaborate with suppliers and OEM partners to evaluate designs, requirements, and manufacturability
Integrate mechanical systems across vehicle platforms to support autonomy and durability in harsh environments
Drive full product lifecycle execution, including design validation, iteration, and deployment
Work cross-functionally with electrical, embedded, and autonomy teams to ensure system-level performance

Ideal Background
2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in robotics, automotive, or hardware startups
Strong CAD experience designing both prototype and production-ready components
Experience owning hardware systems through full development cycles
Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, injection molding, fabrication, etc.)
Experience evaluating supplier designs, test plans, and technical requirements
Ability to collaborate effectively with external vendors and internal cross-functional teams
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments
Willingness and eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics
Experience designing ruggedized systems for off-road or defense applications
Background working on autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, or similar hardware systems
Experience meeting or designing toward DoD or other high-reliability standards

Compensation and Benefits
$130k - $150k base + equity
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems with real-world impact
High ownership role with end-to-end hardware responsibility
Fast-paced, mission-driven environment with direct influence on product direction
Exposure to complex, multidisciplinary engineering challenges across robotics, autonomy, and hardware systems
This role is ideal for a hands-on mechanical engineer who wants full ownership over hardware systems and thrives building rugged, real-world robotics products from the ground up.
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