Mechanical Engineer

Who We Are: Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser weapons to shoot down drones. We're a small team of engineers, former US military operators, and subject matter experts scaling America's directed energy dominance. The first cost effective, reliable and robust laser weapon system. Our namesake isn't an accident. Marcus Aurelius wrote about doing the work in front of you, every day, without excuses. Henry Ford didn't wait for permission to reinvent manufacturing. That's how we operate — small team, unreasonable output, no hiding behind the unachievable. In addition to our San Francisco lab, we’ve opened a Detroit manufacturing hub and we field test weekly on our own 400-acre private range. The Role and Your Impact: We need a Mechanical Engineer focused on design ruggedization across Archimedes — survivability across shock, vibration, moisture, and environmental extremes for a fiber laser system in a deployable, field-rugged package. MIL-spec is one of the harder problems in directed energy and a make-or-break domain for the platform. You'll work hands on from architecture through bench validation and field correlation. What You'll Own: Structural and mechanical design for survivability across MIL-STD shock, vibration, humidity, dust, and austere environmentsRuggedization architecture across the laser source, laser head, and supporting subsystemsSealing, ingress protection, and moisture/corrosion mitigation strategies (IP ratings, conformal coatings, gasket design)Vibration isolation system design including isolator selection, snubbing, and modal analysisShock analysis and design including fragility assessment, cushion design, and drop/transportation survivabilityFEA modeling including static, modal, random vibration, and shock response spectrum analysisStructural validation including instrumentation, test rigs, and correlation to modelTrades between ruggedization performance, mass, stiffness, and packaging across the system What We're Looking For: 3 to 10+ years in mechanical engineering on ruggedized or field-deployable systemsStrong FEA experience with ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, or equivalentHands on experience designing to MIL-STD-810 or equivalent shock and vibration standardsTrack record building and instrumenting structural test rigs and correlating model to benchExperience with sealing, EMI/EMC gaskets, conformal coating, and environmental protection designExperience designing enclosures and structures for field-deployable or military conditions Where you probably come from: Defense hardware companies, airborne or ground vehicle systems, ruggedized electronics enclosures, directed energy programs, or field-deployed sensor or radar systems. We want to talk if: You've designed a system that had to survive shock, vibration, and environmental extremes in a constrained, deployable package. You can model it, build it, instrument it, and correlate it. Not a fit if: You've only done commercial or consumer product design, your work is simulation-only with no bench validation, or you've never designed to a MIL or DO-160 standard. Nice to Haves: Direct laser system or directed energy hardware experienceMIL-STD-461 EMI/EMC design awareness for mechanical hardware integrationExperience with optical bench or precision instrument ruggedizationField-deployable or vehicle-mounted system experience Education: BS or MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering field. PhD welcome but not required. How You Operate: Extreme bias for action. You'd rather build and instrument the rig tomorrow than model it for a monthYou characterize your own systems before the field doesComfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration in a startup environmentClear communicator across mechanical, electrical, optical, and software teamsSelf directed. You identify what needs to happen next and do it without being told How We Work: Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 6. When we're sprinting toward a demo or field test, the team ramps up — nights, weekends, whatever it takes to ship. When the sprint lands, we ramp down. We don't manufacture intensity for show. Benefits: Competitive salary and equityUnited Health Care medical, dental, and vision coverageFlexible 18 days PTO plus 5 sick daysTravel to field test events and range daysCovered daily lunches and office snacks and drinksE-bike and scooter stipend up to $500Direct access to leadership and real ownership over your work Export Control Notice: This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require U.S. Person status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a U.S. Person: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Compensation Range: $130K - $180K