Design Engineer, Special Projects

Hadrian Automation • Los Angeles, CA

2d

About The Position

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts. We recently raised $260 million dollar Series C to accelerate this mission. We are excited to be launching a new Factory in Mesa, Arizona, a 270,000 square foot facility that will create 350 new jobs immediately. We are opening a new headquarters to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to serve naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts. Hadrian works with startups, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and major defense contractors across space, shipbuilding, and aviation to scale production, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery on mission-critical programs. We are backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz. Our fast-growing team is united by a shared mission to reindustrialize American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond! The Role We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Design Engineer to join our Special Projects team. This is an ideal role for an early-career engineer eager to contribute to the development of next-generation maritime systems. You will play a key role in bringing innovative mechanical systems to life for advanced R+D, from initial concept through to production readiness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a related field.
• Demonstrated design and prototyping experience through academic or project work.
• Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks or Siemens NX.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis tools (e.g., FEA, CFD).
• Flexibility to relocate or travel up to 50% for project needs.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with rapid prototyping and hardware iteration.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and real-world constraints.
• A passion for mission-driven engineering and end-user outcomes.
• Commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of maritime mechanical systems using modern engineering principles.
• Create and refine detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies.
• Generate comprehensive, manufacturing-ready technical documentation.
• Perform system-level analysis to meet performance and compliance specifications.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal engineering teams and external partners.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
• 401k
• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA
• Flexible vacation policy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees