Principal Mechanical Engineer, Drones

BRINC Drones; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

401K plan

Maternity and paternity leave

Flexible Time Off

Flexible work environment

Free snacks and drinks in Seattle office

Job summary

BRINC Drones is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Seattle, WA. This role involves leading the design, prototyping, and testing of advanced mechanical systems for drone applications.

The ideal candidate will utilize their extensive experience in mechanical engineering to develop robust solutions and mentor junior engineers, while contributing to life-saving technologies in critical environments.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience in mechanical engineering with focus on precision mechanisms.
• Proven track record in designing lightweight, high-performance mechanisms.
• Experience with statistical tolerance analysis and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware development from specification through to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with software and electrical engineers on designs.
• Perform design analysis and document testing results.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Product design

Kinematics

Dynamics

Control systems

DFM

CAD modeling

Material properties

Manufacturing techniques

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

About BRINC

At BRINC, we are redefining public safety with an innovative ecosystem of life‑saving tools. Our journey started with the development of drones and ruggedized throw phones, designed to access unsafe areas and establish communication to de‑escalate situations. Today, we’ve expanded into creating and deploying 911 response networks, where drones are dispatched to 911 calls to provide real‑time visual data, enhancing safety and enabling de‑escalation‑focused responses. Our cutting‑edge solutions are utilized by over 600 public safety agencies across America and the company has raised over $150M from investors, including Index Ventures, Motorola Solutions, Sam Altman, Dylan Field, Mike Volpe, Alexandr Wang and more. At BRINC, we are committed to recruiting the world’s best talent to join us in our mission to support first responders in saving lives.

About This Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the conceptualization, design, prototyping, and testing of precision actuators, gimbals, and related mechanical systems for drone applications. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of kinematics, dynamics, and control systems, with a proven track record in designing lightweight, high‑performance mechanisms for demanding environments. This role will involve full lifecycle development, from initial concept through to final validation, ensuring reliability and performance in safety‑critical drone operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own hardware development from start to finish - from specification to design, prototype, testing and manufacturing.
• Work collaboratively with software, electrical, perception, controls, and manufacturing engineers.
• Design both flight hardware and test setups to validate designs.
• Establish top‑level design architectures and implementation methodologies for the team. Clearly communicate design decisions with internal stakeholders.
• Perform and document design analysis and testing results; make data‑driven decisions to land key product features.
• Work closely with Industrial Design partners to ensure the final product meets design intent and customer needs.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to the broader mechanical engineering team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience in mechanical engineering or product design, with a strong focus on the design, analysis, and development of mechanical systems and precision mechanisms, such as linkages, gears, cams, and actuators, including experience in motion control, load analysis, and kinematic design.
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced technical environment where rapid development and safety are key.
• Strong knowledge of DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (for Assembly), and DFT (for Test).
• Experience with statistical tolerance analysis, dimensioning, GD&T.
• Experience with industry standard 3D CAD modeling tool suites.
• Working knowledge in material properties - plastics, metals, adhesives, and glass.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing techniques - stamping, machining, 3D printing, injection molding.

Preferred Skills

• 10+ experience designing mechanical solutions for Aerospace, Robotics, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, or related industries.
• Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related degree.
• Experience working with domestic and international supply chain partners.
• In‑depth understanding of packaging for electronics, designing for high‑stress shock & vibration environments; experience with failure analysis and FEA (Finite Element Analysis).
• Strong knowledge of motor types (DC, stepper, brushless, servo) and motor drive systems, including speed controllers and feedback mechanisms. Experience in motor selection, control (PWM, PID), and integration for high‑performance, precision applications.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
• Ability to work independently and in a small team, take initiative, and communicate effectively.
• Experience developing mechanical solutions for UAV/UAS used in commercial, industrial, or defense applications.

BRINC Culture Values

• Try the hard stuff
• Be innovative - Invent the future
• Move fast
• Listen to end‑users
• Strive for excellence
• Don’t build a dystopia
• Be frugal
• Save lives through technology

Benefits and Perks

Benefits and perks listed below may vary based on the nature of your employment with BRINC and/or the country within which you work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for our employees and their families
• 401K plan
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible Time Off (Exempt) / Paid time off (Non‑Exempt)
• Flexible work environment
• Orca pass (for those in Puget Sound)
• Free parking (Seattle office)
• Free snacks, drinks and espresso (Seattle office)

BRINC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is resolute in cultivating an environment that promotes safety, diversity, inclusion and equity. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering every employee so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need, please let our recruiting team know — we strive to provide appropriate accommodation and assistance.