Lead Hardware Design Engineer

Mount Indie; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Indie is seeking a Lead Hardware Design Engineer with sUAS experience to provide technical leadership to the design engineering team across concept to sustainment. You will design hardware for airframes and components, guide engineers, create 3D models and manufacturing docs, and ensure performance, reliability, and cost targets while coordinating with cross-functional groups.

This is a senior, hands-on role requiring U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant engineering field.
• 10–16 years of related experience in hardware design for uncrewed systems.
• Expertise with SolidWorks CAD and PDM for design control.
• Hands-on 3D modeling and rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing.
• Ability to balance performance, cost, and manufacturability across lifecycles.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in fast paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of hardware for sUAS.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians across product lifecycles.
• Create 3D models, assemblies, drawings, and manufacturing docs.
• Oversee documentation control and product configurations.
• Develop and execute hardware test plans and report results.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and manufacturing teams.
• Drive design reviews and continuous improvement across lifecycles.

Skills

Leadership

3D CAD

3D Modeling

Additive manufacturing

Prototype development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks CAD

SolidWorks PDM

Job description

Mount Indie is seeking a Lead Hardware Design Engineerwith small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) experience to provide technical leadership to our design engineering team. This position will lead the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of hardware systems supporting sUAS platforms while guiding engineers and technicians throughout the product development process. The selected candidate will work across the full product lifecycle, from concept development and prototyping through manufacturing, system integration, testing, field support, and sustainment.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and support hardware solutions for small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS), including airframes and related components.
• Provide technical guidance and work leadership to junior design engineers and engineering technicians throughout the full production lifecycle.
• Create and maintain 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and manufacturing documentation.
• Manage engineering documentation, revisions, and product configurations using SolidWorks PDM.
• Develop and build prototype hardware using 3D printing and other rapid prototyping methods.
• Evaluate hardware designs to ensure they meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost objectives.
• Support hardware integration, assembly, testing, and validation throughout the development lifecycle.
• Develop and execute hardware test plans, document results, and recommend design improvements based on test findings.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, and test engineers to support successful system integration and product development.
• Prepare engineering documentation, including technical reports, work instructions, and test procedures.
• Apply engineering principles to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical challenges while balancing performance, schedule, cost, and mission requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, technical meetings, and customer briefings.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, standards, and technical documentation.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10-16 years of related experience
• Demonstrated expertise with SolidWorks CAD and SolidWorks PDM
• Hands-on experience with 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, including 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and design
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and balance competing system-level constraints during the design, integration, and testing of uncrewed systems to meet customer needs
• Proven ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams in fast-paced uncrewed systems design, testing, and field environments
• Experience overseeing multiple complete product development lifecycles for an uncrewed aerial system, from concept through completion
• U.S. Citizenship required; selected candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check prior to the start date