Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering

BRINC • Seattle, WA

5d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering leads, grows, and manages a high-performing mechanical engineering team responsible for designing and delivering the hardware at the core of BRINC’s life-saving drone systems. This role requires a rare combination of deep technical expertise and strong people leadership - someone who can set system-level architecture one moment and resolve a tolerance stack the next. From R&D to Production, you will drive innovation across the full product lifecycle, navigating ambiguity with confidence and thriving in environments where speed, resourcefulness, and precision are equally critical.
As a senior technical leader within the engineering organization, you will work closely with software, electrical, autonomy, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust, manufacturable, and safety-critical hardware. Engineering roles at BRINC require a high level of ownership and initiative, with the ability to define the problem, build the plan, and execute - without waiting for perfect information.

Requirements

• 8+ years of industry experience in mechanical engineering or product design, with demonstrated depth in the design, analysis, and development of mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• 3+ years in a people leadership role, with a proven track record of building and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments - balancing urgency with rigor across multiple concurrent programs.
• Deep experience in DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and DFT (Design for Test).
• Strong command of statistical tolerance analysis, GD&T, and dimensioning.
• Proficiency with industry-standard 3D CAD modeling tools and associated PDM/PLM systems.
• Working knowledge of material properties (plastics, metals, adhesives, composites) and manufacturing techniques (stamping, machining, 3D printing, injection molding, sheet metal).
• Ability to operate fluently across both the strategic and tactical - setting vision while executing on the smallest details.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and executive audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing mechanical solutions for UAV/UAS, Aerospace, Robotics, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, or related industries.
• In-depth understanding of electronics packaging and designing for high-stress shock and vibration environments; hands-on experience with failure analysis and FEA (Finite Element Analysis).
• Experience managing domestic and international supply chain partners, including contract manufacturers and fabrication shops.
• Demonstrated history of taking products from 0→1 - NPI experience from blank-sheet concept through first production build.
• Intellectual curiosity and a habit of continuous learning - you follow the latest research, tear down competitors’ products, and bring new ideas to the table unprompted.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity: you can define the problem, structure the plan, and drive execution without waiting for perfect information.
• Experience with test fixture design, reliability testing, and qualification programs for safety-critical hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the mechanical engineering strategy in alignment with the company’s product goals, spanning R&D, manufacturing, and sustaining engineering.
• Own hardware development end-to-end — specification, design, prototyping, validation, and manufacturing handoff — with full accountability for performance, schedule, and cost.
• Lead, mentor, and grow the mechanical engineering team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Identify skill gaps and development opportunities across the team; create pathways for professional and technical growth.
• Establish top-level design architectures and implementation methodologies; clearly communicate design decisions and tradeoffs to internal stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Drive rigorous design analysis and testing programs, making data-driven decisions to validate key product features and ensure reliability in safety-critical drone operations.
• Champion DFM/DFA/DFT discipline across all programs, working closely with manufacturing and supply chain partners to ensure designs are producible, testable, and scalable.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, electrical, perception, controls, industrial design, and manufacturing engineers to deliver tightly integrated products.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies, materials, and methodologies — evaluating their potential to improve performance, reliability, and cost, and driving adoption where appropriate.
• Manage engineering resources, timelines, and budgets with a frugal, mission-focused mindset, delivering high-quality outcomes even under tight constraints.
• Communicate program status, technical risks, and critical path issues to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders with clarity and accountability.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for our employees and their families
• 401K plan
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible Time Off (Exempt) / Paid time off (Non-Exempt)
• Flexible work environment
• Orca pass (for those in Puget Sound)
• Free parking (Seattle office)
• Free snacks, drinks and espresso (Seattle office)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior