Mechanical Engineer — Rapid Prototyping and Advanced Systems

About the Role

We are looking for an exceptional, hands-on Mechanical Engineer who thrives in fast-paced hardware development environments.

This role is designed for a resourceful builder who can move quickly from an incomplete concept to a functional prototype. You may have fewer years of experience than a traditional senior engineer, but you should demonstrate unusually strong technical judgment, mechanical intuition, and ownership.

You will contribute to the development of compact optical, sensing, and aerospace systems operating under strict size, weight, performance, and environmental constraints.

What You’ll Do

• Design and build compact mechanical and optomechanical assemblies

• Develop prototypes for advanced sensing and optical systems

• Create detailed CAD models, drawings, and manufacturing documentation

• Work closely with optical and electrical engineers on integrated hardware

• Support shock, vibration, thermal, and environmental testing

• Diagnose mechanical failures and rapidly implement design improvements

• Coordinate with vendors, machine shops, and internal fabrication resources

• Assist with integration of optical hardware into drones, aerial platforms, or related systems

• Help transition early prototypes into more robust and repeatable designs

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong mechanical design and CAD experience, preferably with SolidWorks

• Demonstrated ability to build and test physical hardware

• Experience working with prototypes, experimental systems, or low-volume products

• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals and manufacturing processes

• Ability to move quickly with limited structure or incomplete information

• Strong troubleshooting skills and willingness to work directly with hardware

• Ability to work full time in person in Los Angeles

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical or optomechanical systems

• Experience with aerospace, robotics, drones, defense, autonomous systems, or advanced instrumentation

• Familiarity with shock, vibration, thermal, or environmental qualification testing

• Experience designing compact systems under tight size and weight constraints

• Exposure to missile seekers, sensing payloads, electro-optical systems, or aerial platforms

• Familiarity with Zemax or optical-mechanical design collaboration

• Experience working from early R&D through prototype fabrication

Who Will Succeed

You are highly scrappy, technically strong, and comfortable working outside a narrowly defined job description. You enjoy building, testing, breaking, diagnosing, and improving hardware.

We care more about demonstrated capability and speed of learning than traditional credentials. The bar is high: this role is for someone who consistently performs above their experience level.