Senior Mechanical Engineer Manager

A full-time, hybrid role in the Bay Area for a mid-to-senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in vehicle assembly, load dynamics, fabrication, and actuation. The role begins as soon as possible and is structured around a critical, high-stakes build sprint. Reporting directly to the CTO and managing a team of roughly five engineers, this person takes complete ownership of structural assemblies, actuation mechanisms, and the integration of electro-mechanical subsystems to bring our next 15-ft and 35–50-ft prototypes to life (hull hydrodynamics sits with the naval architect).

It suits someone who thrives in early-stage, hardware-heavy environments such as aerospace, race cars, or autonomous vehicles.

• Mechanical Design & Engineering: Lead the design and development of structural components, mounting systems, mechanical assemblies, and vehicle-dynamics and actuation subsystems for Bulwark's 15-ft and 35-ft prototype vessels.

• End-to-End Hardware Ownership: Own mechanical systems from initial concept and CAD design through fabrication, assembly, testing, and field deployment.

• Prototyping & Fabrication: Translate designs into functional hardware through hands-on machining, metalwork, composite fabrication, and rapid prototyping.

• Hydraulic & Mechanical Integration: Design, integrate, and troubleshoot hydraulic systems, actuators, and vehicle mechanical subsystems.

• Testing & Deployment: Lead structural validation, fit checks, system integration, and troubleshooting during water testing, ocean deployments, and sea trials.

• Technical Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of approximately five engineers while maintaining direct involvement in engineering and fabrication activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical engineering experience.

• 10+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience
  , preferably in robotics, vehicles, marine systems, or other complex electromechanical platforms.

• Strong expertise in hydraulic systems, actuators, and vehicle mechanical systems.

• Advanced proficiency in Solid Works, GD&T, design for manufacturing (DFM), and structural analysis.

• Extensive hands-on experience with machining, metal fabrication, composite materials, and mechanical assembly.

• Demonstrated ability to take complex hardware projects from concept through functional testing and deployment.

• Proven technical leadership experience, including mentoring engineers, coordinating engineering work, and delivering projects under aggressive timelines.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment with changing priorities.

• This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export-control laws (ITAR/EAR). Candidates must be eligible to access applicable controlled technology and technical data under relevant U.S. export-control requirements. This may include qualifying as a "U.S. person."

• Experience designing and building high-performance marine vessels, autonomous platforms, off-road vehicles, or other complex mechanical systems.

• Experience developing hydraulic actuator systems from design through integration and testing.

• Background in composite structural design and fabrication.

• Experience with structural dynamics, vibration, shock loading, and mechanical systems operating in demanding environments.

• Experience leading hardware development teams in early-stage or R&D organizations.

• Familiarity with maritime operations, water testing, and field deployment of prototype vehicles.

You're a hands-on engineering leader who enjoys designing, fabricating, and testing hardware rather than managing from a distance.

You take ownership of complex mechanical systems,…