Robotics Hardware Engineer - Mechanical

Code19 Racing; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Code19 Racing is seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer – Mechanical to design, build, integrate, and test UAV airframes and payloads for our autonomous systems. This is a hands-on role spanning airframe design, propulsion, electronics, and field testing.

You will move between CAD, fabrication, flight line, and software integration, acting as builder, tester, and systems integrator to deliver flight-ready platforms. Collaboration with autonomy and robotics software engineers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, payload integration, or related concepts.
• Experience with UAS hardware systems: flight controllers, ESCs/power systems, battery management, navigation, telemetry, sensor integration, payload integration.
• Familiarity with autonomy/controls tech: PX4/ArduPilot, ROS/ROS2, sensor fusion, swarm or multi-agent systems.
• Experience with prototyping tools incl. PCB design, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation skills.
• Experience with design, integration, and flight testing of UAVs.
• Understanding of aerodynamics, rigid body dynamics, IMUs, motors, ESCs, LiPo batteries.
• 3D printing, soldering, assembly.
• Ability to engage technically with robotics software team.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, integrate, and test UAV airframes, subsystems, and payloads.
• Perform engineering analysis related to UAS operations performance and payload integration.
• Plan, execute, and lead field tests, incorporating feedback for design revisions.
• Focus on rapid development, integration, and operations of drones.
• Act as builder, pilot, systems integrator, test engineer, and operator for autonomous systems.
• Move between CAD, fabrication, flight line, and software integration to deliver flight-ready platforms.
• Lead technical execution from concept through prototyping and first tests.
• Develop system-level architecture that is cost-effective and robust.
• Support prototype and low-rate production testing.
• Prepare mission cards and assist flight mission planning.

Skills

UAS design

Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

CAD

Testing

Education

Bachelor or higher degree in ME/EE/Aero

Tools

PCB design

3D printing

Soldering

Hardware integration

Job description

Company Description

Code19 Racing is the world’s first professional autonomous race team, founded by military veterans and focused on pushing the boundaries of high-speed, autonomous vehicle technology. The team uses the racetrack as a testbed for dual-use AI technologies that can be applied to both commercial and defense sectors. Its flagship product, Maveric AI, is an autonomy stack built for high dynamic, high risk, edge-based operations where reliability and speed are critical. Team members collaborate at the intersection of robotics, AI, and motorsport, contributing to solutions that are engineered for demanding, real-world environments.

Role Description

Code19 Racing is seeking a robotics Hardware Engineer – Mechanical to help design, build, integrate, and operate our next generation of autonomous unmanned aerial systems.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who wants to own hardware from initial concept through flight testing and field deployment. You will work across airframe design, propulsion, payload integration, electronics, sensors, manufacturing, and system-level testing while collaborating closely with our autonomy and robotics software engineers.

You will be more than a mechanical designer. You will be a builder, pilot, systems integrator, test engineer, and operator responsible for turning ambitious concepts into flight-ready autonomous systems.

The ideal candidate is comfortable moving quickly between CAD, fabrication, a workbench, software integration, the flight line, and field operations.

Robotics Hardware Engineer – Mechanical

What you're doing:

• Design, fabricate, integrate, and test UAV airframes, subsystems, and payloads.
• Perform engineering analysis related to UAS operations performance and payload integration.
• Plan, execute, and lead local and remote field tests, incorporating feedback to inform design revisions.
• Focus on rapid development, integration, and operations of drones.
• You will be a pilot, engineer, innovator, and operations specialist for Code19's autonomous systems.
• Explore early design concepts while working closely with technical and business teams to find the right solution for current and future gaps in capability.
• Research and select hardware integrations solutions to meet design requirements.
• Lead technical execution from vision & initial design, through prototyping and first successful testing
• Operate at the intersection of software, hardware, and testing helping to craft a system level architecture that supports a robust and cost effective design
• Execute and support prototype and low-rate production articles and subsystem/system level test efforts
• Prepare mission cards and assist in planning the flight missions to meet Engineering and Program requirements.

What we need to see:

• Bachelor or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering or related feild.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UAS airframe design, aerodynamics, materials, payload integration, or related aerospace engineering concepts.
• Experience with some of the following UAS hardware systems:
  • Flight controllers
  • ESCs and power systems
  • Battery management systems
  • Navigation systems
  • Telemetry systems
  • Sensor integration
  • Payload integration
• Familiarity with autonomy and controls technologies such as:
  • PX4 and/or ArduPilot
  • ROS/ROS2
  • Sensor fusion
  • Swarm or multi-agent systems
• Experience with engineering prototyping and development tools, including PCB design, rapid prototyping, or hardware integration activities.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Experience with the design, integration, and flight testing of UAVs.
• Understanding of aerodynamics, rigid body dynamics, inertial measurement units (IMUs), brushless motors and electronic speed controllers (ESCs), LiPo batteries.
• 3D printing, soldering, component assembly.
• Ability to engage technically with robotics software team.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

• Part 107 operator.
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, university research, or related technical programs.
• Real-world operational experience with small UAS systems.