Senior Mechanical Engineer Manager

The Role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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 SolidWorks, 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."

Nice to Have

• 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.

This role is for you if

✓ 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, from initial CAD concepts to functional, field-tested products.

✓ You can turn ambiguous engineering challenges into practical solutions through first-principles thinking and rapid iteration.

✓ You thrive in a high-stakes, fast-moving environment where engineering decisions directly influence product performance and mission success.

This is NOT for you if

× You prefer managing engineering teams without direct involvement in design, fabrication, or testing.

× You rely on large-team infrastructure, extensive resources, or highly structured processes to deliver results.

× You are uncomfortable with rapid prototyping, changing priorities, and solving problems with incomplete information.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay: $150,000 – $215,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Equity: significant early-stage stock options.
• Benefits: employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage.

The range above reflects the anticipated base pay for this role. Actual compensation will depend on your experience, qualifications, skills, and work location, and does not include equity or benefits. This posting complies with applicable state and local pay-transparency requirements.

Equal Opportunity & Background Checks

Bulwark Dynamics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Employment is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check. By submitting an application, you acknowledge and agree that, if you receive a conditional offer, Bulwark Dynamics may conduct a background check in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any such check will be conducted only after separate written disclosure and with your prior written authorization, which will be requested at the offer stage.