Senior Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing

Rugged Robotics•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

About Rugged Robotics Rugged Robotics is on a mission to help the construction industry build better by solving tough problems with automation. We are a fast-moving startup where engineers stay close to the hardware, the manufacturing floor, and the field. To help our customers build better, we need to build the best team. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a manufacturing focus at Rugged Robotics, you will play a critical role in transitioning our next-generation robot from a working prototype into reliable pre-production and production builds. This role owns the path from prototype to scalable manufacturing. You will be accountable for manufacturing readiness, build quality, and continuous improvement. This includes supervising early in-house build waves, supporting root cause analysis, refining designs and processes, and helping establish the manufacturing systems that allow us to scale. You will act as a player–coach, working hands-on while guiding technicians and collaborating closely with engineering, operations, and field teams.

Requirements

Experienced bringing complex electromechanical products from prototype into production
Comfortable balancing design intent with manufacturing realities and operational constraints
Proficient in SolidWorks and experienced producing production-ready drawings
Familiar with manufacturing engineering concepts and scaling to production
Hands-on and willing to be present on the build floor to support technicians and resolve issues
Skilled at navigating conversations between engineers and technicians to ensure build processes reflect design intent
Highly collaborative across function boundaries, including Software, Electrical, and Operations Engineers
Organized, detail-oriented, and able to lead through ambiguity during early production ramps
Comfortable owning outcomes and guiding teams through change
BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience
7+ years of industry experience in mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, or production support
Experience with complex electromechanical systems in robotics, industrial equipment, aerospace, medical devices, or similar fields

Nice To Haves

Experience with contract manufacturers or transitioning from in-house builds to external manufacturing
Hands-on prototyping experience, including rapid iteration and test fixture development
Comfortable with project leadership, mentoring, and helping grow junior engineers or technicians
Experience supporting certification efforts for international compliance

Responsibilities

Own the transition of a prototype robot into pre-production and production-ready designs
Perform hands-on mechanical and electromechanical design, applying engineering analysis (e.g., tolerance analysis, FMEA, FEA) to develop robust hardware solutions that minimize cost, size, and weight while meeting shock, vibration, EMI, and environmental requirements.
Produce clear, well-dimensioned drawings using GD&T for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and cast parts
Support root cause analysis of test, manufacturing, and field issues, and drive design or process changes to address deficiencies
Support testing of prototype and pre-production builds to ensure designs meet product requirements and design intent
Lead the testing, documentation, and evidence generation required to take the robot through international safety and regulatory certification processes.
Lead early build waves, including in-house assembly, calibration, and end-of-line testing
Supervise and guide technicians during builds, ensuring product quality and adherence to process instructions
Develop, document, and continuously improve manufacturing processes and work standards, establishing appropriate process controls, inspection criteria, and quality checks to ensure consistent, high-quality production
Partner with operations teams to understand deployment schedules and create build and robot preparation plans to meet demand
Collaborate closely across functions, including mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and operations teams