What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Mechanical Engineer - Robotics & Automation position at Approach Venture?
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Own Robotic Systems from Concept to the Factory Floor
Austin, Texas | On-site
Opportunity Summary
Join a fast-growing robotics company building automation platforms that are changing how aircraft structures are manufactured, maintained, and sustained for aerospace and defense customers. The team is focused on scalable robotic products deployed across many customers and production environments, not one-off automation projects. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be a strong individual contributor who owns the design of robotic systems and end effectors on your own, from first concept through prototype, validation, and production. You will work hand in hand with software, controls, electrical, manufacturing, and applications engineers, and your designs will go directly into use on factory floors and flight lines.
About Us
We are a venture-backed robotics company building standardized automation systems for aerospace and defense manufacturing and sustainment. Our products bring together robotics, motion control, sensing, software, and precision mechanical design to automate demanding production work. The engineering team is intentionally lean, so every engineer owns meaningful technical work and works directly with company leadership. We move fast, reward ownership, and look for engineers who enjoy hard problems and building scalable products from the ground up.
Job Duties
$130,000 - $160,000
Austin, Texas | On-site
Opportunity Summary
Join a fast-growing robotics company building automation platforms that are changing how aircraft structures are manufactured, maintained, and sustained for aerospace and defense customers. The team is focused on scalable robotic products deployed across many customers and production environments, not one-off automation projects. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be a strong individual contributor who owns the design of robotic systems and end effectors on your own, from first concept through prototype, validation, and production. You will work hand in hand with software, controls, electrical, manufacturing, and applications engineers, and your designs will go directly into use on factory floors and flight lines.
About Us
We are a venture-backed robotics company building standardized automation systems for aerospace and defense manufacturing and sustainment. Our products bring together robotics, motion control, sensing, software, and precision mechanical design to automate demanding production work. The engineering team is intentionally lean, so every engineer owns meaningful technical work and works directly with company leadership. We move fast, reward ownership, and look for engineers who enjoy hard problems and building scalable products from the ground up.
Job Duties
- Independently own the mechanical design of robotic systems, end effectors, and automated manufacturing equipment from concept through production.
- Design precision mechanisms, structural assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and robot-mounted end effectors.
- Translate customer and operational requirements into robust, manufacturable mechanical designs.
- Run engineering calculations, tolerance stack-ups, and component selection for motors, actuators, bearings, and linear motion hardware.
- Build and support prototypes, run testing, drive root cause investigations, and complete design validation.
- Produce release-ready manufacturing drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
- Improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability across product generations.
- Lead design reviews for your own work and share technical guidance with peers.
- Partner closely with controls, software, electrical, manufacturing, and applications teams throughout development.
- Support integration, installation, and customer deployment as needed.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
- 5 years of experience designing mechanical or electromechanical systems.
- Proven ability to own robotic system or end effector design with minimal oversight.
- Background in robotics, industrial automation, precision machinery, or custom equipment design.
- Strong grasp of machine design, engineering mechanics, materials, and mechanical integration.
- Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD, with SolidWorks preferred.
- Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
- Experience designing machined, welded, fabricated, and assembled hardware.
- Clear communicator who works well across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Willingness to travel occasionally.
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Hands-on work with industrial robotic systems or autonomous robotic platforms.
- Background in aerospace manufacturing, aerospace automation, or advanced manufacturing.
- Design of robotic tooling, end effectors, fixtures, or automated production equipment.
- Familiarity with servo-driven mechanisms, actuators, gearboxes, bearings, linear motion systems, and motion control hardware.
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
- Exposure to CATIA and Product Data Management (PDM) systems.
- A track record of taking products from prototype through testing and production release.
- Own the design of robotic systems used in aerospace and defense manufacturing, end to end.
- Build scalable products made for long-term deployment rather than one-off projects.
- Stay hands-on as a senior individual contributor while shaping key technical decisions.
- Work alongside experienced robotics, controls, software, electrical, manufacturing, and applications engineers.
- Direct access to leadership and real influence over product direction at a growing company.
- Competitive compensation package.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Three weeks of PTO plus a company-wide year-end shutdown.
$130,000 - $160,000
Salary : $130,000 - $160,000