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Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Bristol RI

Company Overview

Vatn Systems is a leader in the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), delivering cutting-edge technology for underwater exploration, scientific research, and defense applications. Our innovative and dedicated team excels at tackling complex subsea challenges, consistently redefining possibilities in the field.

Job Description

As a Senior/Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at Vatn, you will direct the mechanical architecture and design for our most complex AUV subsea systems from initial concept to final production. As a technical lead, you will tackle complex challenges related to high hydrostatic pressures, corrosive environments, strict weight and buoyancy budgets, and tight packaging of sensitive electronics. You will guide products through development, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating closely with our electrical, software, and systems engineering teams.  This design-driven position also requires a strong intuition of mechanical systems and deep expertise in engineering analysis. You will work hands-on across these domains while also raising the analytical bar for the broader mechanical engineering team.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the mechanical design and development of complex subsea components, systems, and assemblies from concept through production.
  • Lead the full-lifecycle mechanical architecture of subsea platforms, encompassing hydrostatic pressure vessels, hydrodynamic fairings, structural chassis, and the integration of mission-critical payloads.
  •  Develop and maintain CAD models, detailed drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups that reflect analysis-driven design decisions.
  • Lead engineering analysis across the mechanical system, including structural, hydrostatic pressure housing design, and thermal analysis.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver manufacturable, reliable hardware.
  • Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation efforts, closing the loop between predicted and observed performance.
  • Size and evaluate subsea propulsion systems, including thrust, power, and efficiency trade-offs specific to underwater operation.
  • Perform battery sizing and packaging analysis, balancing energy density, thermal behavior, and mechanical integration constraints.
  • Design and analyze propellers, and optimize hydrodynamic bodies for drag, efficiency, and performance across operating conditions.
  • Serve as a technical mentor to the mechanical engineering team, building internal analysis capability in seal design, pressure systems, propulsion, and hydrodynamics.
  • Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent engineering efforts in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
  • 5-8 years of mechanical engineering experience, with a significant and demonstrated focus on design analysis rather than design execution alone.
  • Strong proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferred), including 3D modeling, assembly, and detailed drawing production.
  • Drive the prototyping and validation lifecycle by creating comprehensive test protocols and spearheading hardware evaluation, spanning high-pressure hydrostatic environments, thermal characterization, and in-water performance.
  • Proven experience with static and dynamic seal design.
  • Experience designing systems for hydrostatic pressure, including pressure housings and pressure-critical component analysis.
  • Experience sizing propulsion systems, ideally in a subsea or marine context.
  • Experience with the design and analysis of propellers.
  • Solid foundation in core mechanical engineering principles: materials, mechanics, and manufacturing processes.
  • Familiarity with design analysis tools and techniques (e.g., FEA, CFD) strongly preferred — ANSYS Workbench or similar.
  • Experience designing and building composite parts is a plus.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to mentor and elevate the analytical capability of the broader team.
  • Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on precision, rigor, and quality.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment with shifting priorities.


Vatn is an equal opportunity employer. 

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