Director, Mechanical Engineering

Hadrian Automation • Torrance, CA

2d • $355,000 - $400,000

About The Position

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that combine AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing to help aerospace and defense companies produce mission-critical systems faster and at lower cost. The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint and capabilities while scaling its Factory-as-a-Service platform.

The Director, Mechanical Engineering will take factory automation challenges from ambiguity through production while building and leading the mechanical engineering team responsible for Hadrian’s automation equipment. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on delivering equipment, establishing design standards, and incorporating AI and other new tools into engineering workflows. The role partners with controls, software, manufacturing, and factory operations teams.

Requirements

• 12+ years designing automation equipment, test equipment, or production machinery, including several years leading mechanical engineers.
• Proven record delivering automation equipment from concept through commissioning on production lines that run around the clock.
• Current mechanical design expertise in mechanisms, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling, tolerance stacks, actuator sizing, and machine safety.
• Record of developing engineers and earning the trust of technicians and operators who build and run designs.
• Uses AI and other new tools in their own engineering workflow and encourages the team to adopt new ways of working.
• Must meet U.S. Government export-control requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Early mechanical design hire at a startup in automation or test equipment who helped build the team.
• Systems integrator experience, especially in systems design or concept and quoting teams.
• Experience standardizing equipment across multiple factories or launching equipment for a new factory.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing such as EV, aerospace, defense, or medical devices.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and grow the mechanical engineering team, including hiring, leveling, mentoring, and supporting career development.
• Deliver machines, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling, and material-handling systems from concept through build, commissioning, and production run-in; own their performance on the factory floor.
• Set design standards and lead design reviews covering CAD, drawings, GD&T, design for manufacture and assembly, and machine safety.
• Review designs and work with engineers on fixtures, mechanisms, and cell layouts; make key technical decisions.
• Determine what equipment to design in-house versus purchase, plan equipment budgets, and hold machine builders, vendors, and integrators to required standards.
• Partner with controls, software, manufacturing, and factory operations teams.
• Bring new tools, including AI, into the team’s design processes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees.
• 401k.
• Relocation support may be provided in certain situations based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy.
• Equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed