Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Vatn Systems; Bristol (RI); Vor Ort; USD 110.000 - 160.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Vatn Systems seeks a Senior/Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the mechanical architecture of our advanced AUV subsea systems from concept to production.

You will guide design analysis, mentor engineers, and collaborate with electrical, software, and systems teams to deliver reliable hardware capable of withstanding high hydrostatic pressures and harsh environments.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering; Master’s/PhD preferred.
• 5–8 years of mechanical engineering with a focus on design analysis.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) with 3D modeling and detailing.
• Experience with static and dynamic seal design and hydrostatic pressure housing design.
• Experience sizing propulsion systems and hydrodynamics for subsea/marine contexts.
• Strong knowledge of design analysis tools (FEA/CFD) — ANSYS or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and ability to mentor the analytics capability of the team.

Aufgaben

• Lead mechanical design of complex subsea components from concept to production.
• Own full‑lifecycle mechanical architecture of subsea platforms (pressure housings, hulls, payload integration).
• Develop CAD models, drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stacks reflecting analysis-driven decisions.
• Lead mechanical analysis across systems (structure, thermal, hydrostatic).
• Collaborate with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams for manufacturability.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation, closing gaps between predicted and observed performance.
• Size propulsion systems and perform propeller/hydrodynamics optimization.

Kenntnisse

CAD design

Leadership & mentoring

Familiar with FEA/CFD

Thermal analysis

Hydrostatic pressure design

Mechanical design

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

ANSYS Workbench

CFD

Jobbeschreibung

Vatn Systems is a leader in the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), delivering cutting-edge technology for underwater exploration, scientific research, and defense applications. Our innovative and dedicated team excels at tackling complex subsea challenges, consistently redefining possibilities in the field.

Job Description

As a Senior/Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at Vatn, you will direct the mechanical architecture and design for our most complex AUV subsea systems from initial concept to final production. As a technical lead, you will tackle complex challenges related to high hydrostatic pressures, corrosive environments, strict weight and buoyancy budgets, and tight packaging of sensitive electronics. You will guide products through development, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating closely with our electrical, software, and systems engineering teams. This design-driven position also requires a strong intuition of mechanical systems and deep expertise in engineering analysis. You will work hands-on across these domains while also raising the analytical bar for the broader mechanical engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of complex subsea components, systems, and assemblies from concept through production.
• Lead the full-lifecycle mechanical architecture of subsea platforms, encompassing hydrostatic pressure vessels, hydrodynamic fairings, structural chassis, and the integration of mission‑critical payloads.
• Develop and maintain CAD models, detailed drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups that reflect analysis-driven design decisions.
• Lead engineering analysis across the mechanical system, including structural, hydrostatic pressure housing design, and thermal analysis.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver manufacturable, reliable hardware.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation efforts, closing the loop between predicted and observed performance.
• Size and evaluate subsea propulsion systems, including thrust, power, and efficiency trade‑offs specific to underwater operation.
• Perform battery sizing and packaging analysis, balancing energy density, thermal behavior, and mechanical integration constraints.
• Design and analyze propellers, and optimize hydrodynamic bodies for drag, efficiency, and performance across operating conditions.
• Serve as a technical mentor to the mechanical engineering team, building internal analysis capability in seal design, pressure systems, propulsion, and hydrodynamics.
• Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent engineering efforts in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
• 5-8 years of mechanical engineering experience, with a significant and demonstrated focus on design analysis rather than design execution alone.
• Strong proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred), including 3D modeling, assembly, and detailed drawing production.
• Drive the prototyping and validation lifecycle by creating comprehensive test protocols and spearheading hardware evaluation, spanning high‑pressure hydrostatic environments, thermal characterization, and in‑water performance.
• Proven experience with static and dynamic seal design.
• Experience designing systems for hydrostatic pressure, including pressure housings and pressure‑critical component analysis.
• Experience sizing propulsion systems, ideally in a subsea or marine context.
• Experience with the design and analysis of propellers.
• Solid foundation in core mechanical engineering principles: materials, mechanics, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with design analysis tools and techniques (e.g., FEA, CFD) strongly preferred — ANSYS Workbench or similar.
• Experience designing and building composite parts is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to mentor and elevate the analytical capability of the broader team.
• Detail‑oriented mindset with a focus on precision, rigor, and quality.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced startup environment with shifting priorities.

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer.

Voluntary Self-Identification

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As set forth in Vatn Systems’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.