Mechanical Design Engineer

Company OverviewWild West Systems is an American defense technology company with the mission to equip the civilized world with superior and affordable arms and advanced technologies – to dominate the battlefield of present and future threats, in a new era of asymmetrical warfare. We fuse versatile domain experience with novel approach and creativity to change the paradigm of defense – both for military arenas and civilian soft targets. We're an early stage startup, rapidly moving and growing. General Qualifications (all roles):Deep love for America and passion for Wild West System's mission.Self-starter, capable of performing tasks as an individual as well as working well in a team.Servant-leader mentality, extreme ownership, willing to participate in different and rapidly changing projects in a dynamic environment. Bias for action.ITAR REQUIREMENT: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. Position OverviewAs a Mechanical Design Engineer, your job is to design, build, test, and ship mechanical systems that survive real-world use.From early prototypes to scaled production, you own your parts end-to-end. If it breaks, you fix it. If it doesn't exist yet, you design it. If it works on paper but fails in the field, it's not done.Extreme ownership is the baseline. You will be expected to work late hours and weekends if needed to accomplish the mission.Your work directly arms the warfighter. That responsibility is non-negotiable. Real ownership, not task lists, Hardware that goes from bench to field fast, A team that values execution over ego, A mission that actually matters. What You OwnThe mechanical integrity, performance, and manufacturability of your designsComponents, mechanisms, and structures from concept → productionIteration speed without sacrificing reliability or safetyGetting parts built, assembled, tested, and validated-no handoffsIf it touches metal, motion, load paths or force, you're accountableWhat You Actually DoComponent & System DesignDesign components with full lifecycle responsibility: calculations, tolerances, GD&T, drawings, and validationDesign in context-your parts must work with everyone else's, under real loadsMechanismsDesign and integrate linkages, gears, motors, actuators, and assemblies that work under stressPrototyping & FabricationBuild fast using in-house tools or external vendorsOwn the loop from CAD → part → install → revisionTesting & ValidationTest like it's going to the field-because it isMeasure performance, identify failure modes, and fix themPaper success doesn't count. Field performance doesDFM & ScaleDesign for manufacturability from day oneWork directly with manufacturing and machinists to ensure precision, repeatability, and scaleProcurement & Build SupportSource materials, components, and vendors to keep builds movingSolve supply problems without waiting for permissionOwnership & AdaptabilityPriorities shift. Problems emerge. You step inNo "that's not my job." Only "what needs to be done."Documentation & ImprovementDocument designs, tests, processes, and lessons learned so hardware can be built againRaise the bar on safety, reliability, and speed every cycleRequired Skills and ExperienceProven, hands-on mechanical design experienceStrong CAD and GD&T capabilityAbility to work independently in high-stakes, fast-moving environmentsBias for action, high accountability, and resilience under pressurePreferred Skills and ExperienceWeapons systems, UAVs, aerospace, or high-performance mechanismsDesigning hardware that survives testing not just reviews itAdditive manufacturing and 3D printer operation/maintenanceDesigning for production-not just prototypesStartup or small-team environments where impact is immediateOnshape experience a plus; willingness to transition required Work Location:This role is assigned onsite at our Leander, TX facility. Benefits: We are always looking for good people! Wild West Systems is committed to providing its employees with competitive salaries and benefits in order to increase employee satisfaction and productivity.Health Insurance:100% coverage for employees, 90% for spouse/familyVision and Dental: 100% Coverage Important Information:All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our Talent Team at [email protected] company uses E-Verify to confirm each employee's work authorization. ***We do not work with staffing companies. Direct applicants only***