Hardware / Mechatronics Engineer

We are seeking a highly skilled Hardware / Mechatronics Engineer to join a defense technology startup based in Boston, Massachusetts.

About the Company

Our client is a defense technology startup building next-generation training systems powered by AI and immersive technologies. The company develops solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer vision, XR, reinforcement learning, and embedded systems to support military training.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on Hardware / Mechatronics Engineer to design and build ruggedized physical training devices used in advanced defense simulation environments.

What You'll Do

You will lead the design and development of two core hardware products:

• An instrumented CO₂ recoil weapon platform that serves as both a realistic training device and a tracked controller.

• A reusable ruggedized UWB grenade designed to withstand repeated impacts while providing accurate real-world position tracking.

In this role, you will work on:

• Mechanical design and CAD (SolidWorks / Fusion 360 / Onshape) of the weapon and grenade housings.

• A CO2 pneumatic recoil mechanism (regulator, valve, blowback) with integrated electronics (trigger/shot detection, IMU / UWB for orientation and aim), ideally by adapting an existing CO2 platform rather than designing from scratch.

• A reusable UWB grenade ruggedized to survive repeated throws (shock isolation, potting, impact FEA), integrating an off-the-shelf UWB module (e.g., Qorvo DWM3000) for real-world position reporting, plus battery/power and antenna placement through the housing.

• BOM, design-for-manufacturing across additive (3D printing) and subtractive (CNC), and basic thermal/structural simulation.

• Directing contract EE (PCB, power, UWB RF) and embedded-firmware support, converting to in-house as the product nears production.

Required Qualifications:

• 2-5+ years of relevant professional experience (hardware, mechatronics, mechanical engineering).

• Experience in mechanical/mechatronics design.

• Strong CAD skills using tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or Onshape.

• FEA for shock/impact and thermal.

• Experience taking hardware products from prototype to production.

• Comfort integrating electronics and sensors into rugged mechanical assemblies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pneumatics/CO₂ systems, training weapon, airsoft or firearms-adjacent mechanism experience.

• Embedded electronics and firmware (or ability to direct it).

• Ultra-Wideband (UWB) systems and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) integration.

Team & Culture

• Approximately 15 people across full-time employees, contractors, and advisors

• Flat organizational structure with significant ownership and autonomy

• Early hires have opportunities to become founding-level contributors and future leaders

• Culture centered around the philosophy: "Work with us, not for us."

• We're looking for engineers who are:

  • Driven and resourceful.

  • Excited by startup environments.

  • Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

  • Motivated by ownership and long-term impact.

  • Interested in equity participation and building something meaningful from the ground up.

Given the nature of the work, candidates should be supportive of the company's defense mission.

Recruitment Process

1. Prescreen call with the Recruitment Manager.

2. Prescreen with the client.

3. Technical interview with the client.

Candidates are encouraged to share a GitHub profile, portfolio, or examples of relevant work.
Hiring decisions are often made shortly after the interview process.