Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Leander, TX (Onsite)
Compensation: $150,000 Full Medical (100%), Dental (100%), Vision (100%)
ITAR Compliant Role – U.S. Persons Only

Mission of the Role (Commander’s Intent)

The company exists to equip the civilized world with superior and affordable defense technologies for modern asymmetric warfare.

The Mechanical Design Engineer exists to ensure that every mechanical system designed is not only innovative but survives real-world use. This role owns hardware from concept to field deployment. The mission is speed without recklessness. Innovation without ego. Execution without excuse.

You are not designing parts.
You are building capability for the warfighter.

Performance Objectives (What Success Looks Like)

Deliver Field-Ready Hardware

Design, prototype, test, and validate mechanical systems that move from CAD to operational deployment with measurable durability and performance.

Own the Full Lifecycle

Take responsibility from concept → calculations → GD&T → fabrication → testing → revision → production. No hand offs. No “someone else’s problem.”

Accelerate Iteration Without Compromising Safety

Move fast. Launch early. Improve quickly. Maintain reliability and compliance under real-world stress conditions.

Design for Manufacturability from Day One

Collaborate directly with machinists and manufacturing partners to ensure precision, repeatability, and scalability.

Lead Through Process Ownership

Identify technical problems, solve them, implement the solution, and train the team to sustain the improvement.

Operate with Startup Agility

Thrive in a 20-person high-growth environment where priorities shift and resources are constrained. Build the plane mid-flight and keep it flying.

What You Own

• Mechanical integrity and structural performance
  

• Mechanisms (linkages, gears, actuators, assemblies) under real load conditions
  

• Iteration loop: CAD → build → test → refine
  

• Supply chain problem-solving to keep builds moving
  

• Documentation ensuring repeatable production
  

• The outcome not just the task
  

If it touches metal, motion, load paths, or force you are accountable.

Alignment Statement

This role is aligned with Commander’s Intent because it places ownership, initiative, and mechanical excellence at the center of national defense capability. The right candidate will not just design systems they will elevate the team and accelerate mission impact.

Requirements

Required Capabilities

• Must have served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Reserves, or U.S. National Guard.
  
  

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering a must
  

• Proven hands-on mechanical design experience
  

• Strong CAD proficiency and GD&T expertise
  

• Comfort operating independently in high-stakes environments
  

• Resilience under pressure
  

• Bias for action and extreme ownership mindset
  

Preferred Background

• Weapons systems, UAVs, aerospace, or high-performance mechanisms
  

• Additive manufacturing / 3D printing experience
  

• Production-scale hardware design (not just prototypes)
  

• Startup or small-team impact experience
  

• Onshape experience (or willingness to transition)
  

Ideal Leadership Traits (Startup Fit Profile)

Wild West Systems is a 20-person early-stage defense startup. Cultural alignment is decisive.

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Entrepreneurial Drive – Acts like an owner, not an employee.
  

• Confidence Without Arrogance – Secure in capability; coachable under pressure.
  

• Comfort with Ambiguity – Moves forward intelligently without perfect clarity.
  

• Systems Thinking – Solves root problems, not surface symptoms.
  

• Full-Cycle Accountability – Recognizes the problem, builds the solution, implements the fix, and trains the team.
  

• Speed with Adaptability – Quick to market, fully aware iteration will follow.
  

This is not a “maintenance engineer” role.
This is a builder role.

Benefits

• 100% Health Coverage (Employee)
  

• 90% Health Coverage (Family/Spouse)
  

• 100% Dental & Vision
  

• Competitive salary - $150,000 equity