Forward-Deployed Mechanical Engineer

Quick Facts

• Role: Forward-Deployed Mechanical Engineer

• Focus: Mechanical hardware for manufacturing automation

• Experience: 0–3 years (recent grads and self-taught builders welcome)

• Travel: Up to 100%

• Location: San Francisco or New York

• Compensation: $120,000–$180,000 base salary, plus competitive equity and benefits

Description

Build physical components that make automation useful, repeatable, and maintainable in manufacturing environments. You’ll design fixtures, mechanisms, mounts, and end effectors, then prototype, source, assemble, and refine hardware with realistic testing and support for installation and commissioning. The role is suited to someone who enjoys CAD, fabrication, assembly, and hands-on iteration.

Responsibilities

• Learn how operators handle parts, tooling, and equipment

• Design fixtures, mechanisms, mounts, and end effectors for selected applications

• Prototype, source, assemble, and refine hardware with the team and suppliers

• Test designs under realistic conditions and support installation and commissioning

Requirements

• 0–3 years of experience (or equivalent via coursework, clubs, independent builds, or personal projects)

• Comfort with CAD, fabrication, assembly, and iterative hardware development

• AI-native workflow and comfort using AI coding tools daily (e.g., Claude, Codex)

• Ability to learn unfamiliar systems quickly and explain design decisions

• Willingness to travel up to 100% based on deployment needs

Benefits

• Full-time role

• $120,000–$180,000 annual base salary, plus competitive equity

• Benefits package