Mechanical Design Engineer, Automation

Hadrian Automation
San Francisco, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mechanical engineers with industrial automation experience working in high-tech manufacturing environments.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with industrial automation experience and a background in custom machinery design
    — “custom industrial machinery, automation equipment, robotic tooling, and mechanical systems
  • Professionals who have worked in fast-paced engineering environments and have a full lifecycle design mindset
    — “owns mechanical design activities from concept through manufacturing, assembly, testing, and commissioning

Things to consider

  • U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required due to ITAR export regulations
    — “be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
  • The role may require hands-on work in a manufacturing setting, not just design
    — “support fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, prototype builds, and testing activities

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with robotic end-of-arm tooling and sensor-integrated systems in your resume
    — “robotic end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) systems
  • Emphasize your ability to create engineering documentation using GD&T and design-for-manufacturing principles
    — “applying GD&T and design-for-manufacturing principles
  • Showcase any prior work with FEA or mechanical simulation tools in your application materials
    — “Familiarity with FEA, engineering analysis tools, or mechanical simulation methods
  • Demonstrate your ability to collaborate across teams and deliver scalable solutions
    — “collaborating across engineering and operations teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions
  • Include examples of past design reviews and continuous improvement efforts in your interview responses
    — “Support design reviews, troubleshooting, startup, commissioning, and continuous improvement efforts
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • designs mechanical systems
  • supports fabrication and assembly
  • collaborates with cross-functional teams
Typical background
mechanical engineering degree7+ years of mechanical design experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical Design3D CAD SoftwareFabricationManufacturingGD&T

Preferred

FEAHydraulic SystemsMotion Control

Stack & domain

SolidworksCADGD&TFEAEngineering Analysis ToolsMechanical Simulation MethodsProblem-solvingOrganizationalCommunicationManufacturingAutomationRoboticsMechanical Systems

About the role

Original posting from Hadrian Automation via Ashby

HADRIAN - MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the development of custom industrial machinery, automation equipment, robotic tooling, and mechanical systems. This role owns mechanical design activities from concept through manufacturing, assembly, testing, and commissioning. The ideal candidate combines strong CAD expertise with hands-on knowledge of fabrication, manufacturing, and automated equipment, while collaborating across engineering and operations teams to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.

What You’ll Do

  • Design mechanical systems, machine assemblies, fixtures, tooling, and robotic end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) using 3D CAD software.
  • Create manufacturing drawings, bills of materials, and engineering documentation while applying GD&T and design-for-manufacturing principles.
  • Support fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, prototype builds, and testing activities to ensure successful execution of designs.
  • Collaborate with manufacturing, controls, project management, suppliers, and technicians to develop and improve equipment and processes.
  • Support design reviews, troubleshooting, startup, commissioning, and continuous improvement efforts to optimize performance, reliability, and cost.

What We’re Looking For

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • 7+ years of mechanical design experience in industrial, manufacturing, automation, or related environments.
  • Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D parametric CAD software.
  • Understanding of machining, welding, fabrication, assembly processes, engineering drawings, and GD&T.
  • Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

What Will Set You Apart

  • Experience designing custom machinery, automation equipment, robotics, fixtures, tooling, or EOAT systems.
  • Experience with pneumatic, hydraulic, vacuum, motion control, or sensor-integrated mechanical systems.
  • Hands-on experience supporting prototype builds, equipment assembly, testing, and commissioning.
  • Familiarity with FEA, engineering analysis tools, or mechanical simulation methods.
  • Experience working in manufacturing, startup, or fast-paced engineering environments.

BENEFITS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
  • 401k
  • Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
  • Flexible vacation policy
  • Equity

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987.

USE OF AI IN HIRING

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy https://www.hadrian.co/privacy-policy.

HADRIAN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Source: Hadrian Automation careers (Ashby)

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