Mechanical Engineer

RED CAT HOLDINGS•Fort Pierce, FL

13d

About The Position

Blue Ops, the maritime division of Red Cat Holdings, develops uncrewed surface vessels for defense and national security applications. The role focuses on mechanical design and integration of vessel structures, mechanisms, mounts, enclosures, and equipment, from concept through field-ready hardware. The engineer will create and maintain CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and configuration records; perform engineering analyses; and fabricate and install hardware in a rapid-prototyping environment. The position also integrates sensors, communications equipment, onboard computers, and supporting hardware. It involves working with engineering and operations teams to install equipment, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical interfaces, and verify system performance through bench tests, dockside checks, sea trials, and customer demonstrations. The work combines office and laboratory activities with hands-on vessel integration and outdoor testing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, systems, or a related engineering discipline.
2–3 years of relevant experience in mechanical engineering, hardware testing, robotics, or a comparable engineering role.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to pass a background check and obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
Practical experience installing and troubleshooting electromechanical equipment.
Working knowledge of DC power, wiring, and basic control systems.
Ability to interpret schematics, technical drawings, and equipment documentation.
Experience using electrical test equipment and documenting troubleshooting findings.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with maritime equipment, autonomous vehicles, uncrewed surface vessels, or other field-deployed systems.
Proficiency in SolidWorks or a comparable 3D CAD package, including assemblies, drawings, and design tables or configurations.
Experience creating fabrication and assembly drawings with GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and bills of materials.
Hands-on fabrication experience, including 3D printing, mill or lathe work, sheet metal, welding, or composites.
Experience performing structural, thermal, vibration, or weight analysis using hand calculations and FEA tools.
Familiarity with marine materials, corrosion protection, sealing, and hardware selection for saltwater environments.
Experience installing and fitting mechanical hardware on vehicles, vessels, or other field platforms.
Experience maintaining drawing revisions, configuration records, and supporting repeatable hardware builds.

Responsibilities

Own mechanical design of vessel structures, mechanisms, mounts, enclosures, and equipment packaging from concept through field-ready hardware.
Build detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies, and maintain design intent as vessel configurations evolve.
Create and release fabrication and assembly drawings, including dimensions and tolerances, GD&T, materials, finishes, hardware callouts, and bills of materials.
Perform engineering analysis using hand calculations and FEA for structural loads, stress, deflection, vibration, thermal effects, weight, and center of gravity, and apply results to design decisions.
Select materials, fasteners, coatings, and sealing methods suitable for saltwater exposure, shock, and vibration.
Fabricate and machine parts in-house using 3D printing, CNC machining, milling, lathe work, sheet metal, and composites.
Lead mechanical installation and fit-up of hardware on vessel platforms, verifying clearances, alignment, access, and serviceability.
Design for manufacturability, assembly, and maintainability, reducing part count, cost, and lead time.
Integrate sensors, communications equipment, onboard computers, and supporting hardware onto vessel platforms.
Review equipment requirements and identify structural, mounting, installation, power, and connectivity needs.
Support assembly, inspection, and troubleshooting of wiring harnesses, low-voltage power circuits, and data connections.
Prepare and maintain installation instructions, interface documentation, drawing revisions, and configuration records.
Develop and execute mechanical test procedures; record results, investigate failures, and verify corrective actions.
Support bench testing, dockside checks, sea trials, and customer demonstrations.
Coordinate with internal teams, machine shops, and equipment suppliers on fabrication, tolerances, lead times, and technical questions.