Mechanical Engineer

The Role

This is a full-time, on-site role in the Bay Area, CA for a Mechanical Engineer specializing in structural fabrication, actuation, and prototype assembly. You will report directly to our CTO and work alongside engineers and technicians to bring our 15ft and 35ft vessels to life. This role is ideal for someone who loves building real hardware, thrives in early-stage environments, and has experience in robotics, vehicles, race cars, or similar mechanical systems. You will focus on structural components, mounts, actuation, assemblies, and integration of mechanical subsystems — not hull hydrodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate structural components, mounting brackets, and mechanical assemblies for 15-ft and 35-ft autonomous vessels.
• Create detailed 2D and 3D manufacturing designs using SolidWorks.
• Perform hands-on fabrication, including metalworking, machining, welding, composite work, and prototype assembly.
• Coordinate with suppliers and fabrication shops to source materials, components, and hardware.
• Integrate mechanical systems with electrical, autonomy, and systems teams, including sensors, actuators, and payloads.
• Conduct fit checks, structural testing, troubleshooting, and design iterations to improve performance and reliability.
• Support complete prototype builds, field testing, and deployment activities.
• Participate as a member of the maritime crew during field operations.
• Manage multiple engineering tasks while ensuring mechanical systems meet safety, durability, and operational requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent hands-on engineering experience.
• 3+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience, preferably in robotics, vehicles, marine systems, or other complex hardware platforms.
• Strong mechanical design experience, particularly in structural components, brackets, assemblies, and vehicle systems.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD, with SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in fabrication, welding, machining, and prototype development.
• Ability to independently execute engineering projects from design through fabrication, testing, and deployment.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hardware-intensive environment with minimal supervision.

Nice to Have

• Experience developing early-stage hardware products from concept through deployment.
• Hydraulic actuator design, integration, and troubleshooting experience.
• Composite design and fabrication experience.
• Background in marine vessels, autonomous platforms, or off-road vehicle structures.
• Experience supporting field operations, sea trials, or deployed vehicle testing.
• Familiarity with GD&T, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and structural analysis.

This role is for you if

✓ You are hands-on — you will be cutting, drilling, welding, and assembling hardware yourself.

✓ You build fast, iterate fast, and own your work end-to-end.

✓ You like working on vehicles and complex mechanical systems.

✓ You can take a rough idea and turn it into a functional part.

✓ You thrive in a startup environment and want to build something meaningful.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay: $110,000 – $150,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Equity: 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.