Senior Mechanical Engineer Manager

Bulwark Dynamics; Menlo Park, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Bulwark Dynamics is seeking a mid-to-senior Mechanical Engineer to own structural assemblies, actuation subsystems, and integration of electro-mechanical components for 15-ft and 35–50-ft prototypes in a Bay Area hybrid setting.

The role requires hands-on fabrication, CAD-driven design, and leadership of a small team through fast-paced build sprints, with involvement in field deployments and sea trials. Prior aerospace/race or autonomous vehicles experience is valued.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years in vehicle dynamics or high-performance systems.
• Proven hands-on fabrication experience and CAD-to-deploy expertise.
• Ability to meet export-control requirements (ITAR/EAR) as a U.S. person if required.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate structural components, mounting brackets, and mechanical assemblies for prototypes.
• End-to-end ownership: own structural components, mechanical assemblies, and actuation subsystems from CAD to deployment.
• Rapid CAD-to-reality: use SolidWorks for detailed manufacturing designs and iterate based on testing.
• Hands-on fabrication: machining, metalwork, composites, and rapid prototyping on the shop floor.
• Field deployment: integrate subsystems with cross-functional teams during ocean deployments and sea trials.
• Manage and develop a team of ~5 engineers through high-stakes build sprint.

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

DFM

structural analysis

machining

composites

vehicle dynamics

team leadership

export control compliance

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

A full-time, hybrid role in the Bay Area for a mid-to-senior Mechanical Engineer specializing in vehicle assembly, load dynamics, fabrication, and actuation. The role begins as soon as possible and is structured around a critical, high-stakes build sprint. Reporting directly to the CTO and managing a team of roughly five engineers, this person takes complete ownership of structural assemblies, actuation mechanisms, and the integration of electro-mechanical subsystems to bring our next 15-ft and 35–50-ft prototypes to life (hull hydrodynamics sits with the naval architect). It suits someone who thrives in early-stage, hardware-heavy environments such as aerospace, race cars, or autonomous vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate structural components, mounting brackets, and mechanical assemblies for the 15-ft and 35-ft prototype vessels.
• End-to-end ownership: fully own structural components, mechanical assemblies, and vehicle-dynamics/actuation subsystems from CAD to deployment.
• Rapid CAD-to-reality: use SolidWorks for detailed manufacturing designs, source materials, conduct fit checks, and iterate relentlessly based on structural testing.
• Hands-on fabrication: perform machining, metalwork, composites, and rapid prototyping directly on the shop floor.
• Field deployment: integrate subsystems with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot on the fly, and operate as a core maritime crew member during ocean deployments and sea trials.
• Manage and develop a team of ~5 engineers through a high-stakes build sprint.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, with 6+ years of experience in vehicle dynamics, robotics, UAVs, or high-performance mechanical systems.
• High proficiency in SolidWorks, with strong practical intuition for GD&T, DFM, and structural analysis.
• Extensive hands-on fabrication experience: machining, prototype assembly, metalwork, and composites.
• Proven ability to manage multiple rapid deadlines independently and own early-stage hardware from sketch to functional deployment.
• This role may involve access to technology and technical data controlled under U.S. export-control laws (ITAR/EAR). You must be able to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements, which may include qualifying as a "U.S. person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual).

Nice to Have

• 8+ years of hands-on R&D experience with vehicles or complex mechanical systems.
• Experience building early-stage hardware prototypes from concept to deployed product.
• Hydraulic actuator design and integration experience.
• Composite design and fabrication knowledge.
• Experience with vessel or off-road vehicle structural systems.
• Operational experience working with deployed vehicles or maritime platforms.

This role is for you if

• You're relentlessly hands-on — on the shop floor cutting, drilling, welding, and assembling, not just managing builds.
• You design elegantly and build with speed, owning the work from initial CAD to the final physical product.
• You translate ambiguous, high-level ideas into robust, functional assemblies using first-principles thinking.
• You're driven to build critical technology and thrive in high-velocity, high-stakes environments.

This is NOT for you if

• You prefer managing builds over being hands-on in the shop.
• You need large-team infrastructure or well-defined processes to be effective.
• You are not comfortable with rapid iteration, shifting priorities, or early-stage ambiguity.