Senior Mechanical Engineer - Vehicle Platforms

About SteerAISteerAI is an autonomous mobility technology company powered by VentureOne, the commercialization arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council. SteerAI’s advanced AI-powered autonomy stack, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, empowers the logistics and defense industries by turning industrial vehicles into autonomous powerhouses that can handle complex off-road missions, transform operations and protect organizations' most important assets: their workforce.About the roleWe are looking for an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to take hands-on ownership of mechanical design and development for vehicle components, subsystems, and platform solutions across the full product lifecycle. The role combines detailed engineering work with the coordination of external design partners and leadership of defined work packages and smaller projects. You will work closely with systems, electrical, software, manufacturing, procurement, test, and quality teams to deliver safe, robust, manufacturable, and maintainable vehicle solutions..Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the mechanical design and development of vehicle components, assemblies, and subsystems from concept through design release and product improvement.Translate system and product requirements into mechanical requirements, design concepts, interface definitions, 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing specifications.Perform engineering calculations, tolerance stack-ups, GD&T, material selection, and other design analyses; coordinate FEA and specialist analyses when required.Apply structured vehicle development processes, including requirements management, design reviews, DFMEA, verification planning, configuration and change control, and release to manufacturing.Plan and lead smaller engineering projects and work packages by defining scope, deliverables, schedule, priorities, resources, dependencies, and technical risks.Define clear scopes of work, requirements, interfaces, milestones, and acceptance criteria for external engineering partners and suppliers.Guide and monitor outsourced design activities, review technical outputs, resolve open issues, and ensure that deliverables meet quality, schedule, and documentation expectations.Ensure that externally developed designs integrate with the overall vehicle architecture and controlled product baseline.Lead and support concept evaluation, prototyping, vehicle integration, design verification, testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage interfaces and deliver integrated vehicle solutions.Support suppliers, manufacturing, assembly, and quality teams, applying DFM/DFA principles and resolving production or field issues.Maintain accurate engineering documentation and communicate technical decisions, progress, risks, and required actions to relevant stakeholders.Share technical knowledge, support less-experienced engineers, and contribute to the development of practical engineering methods and processes.QualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.7+ years of relevant experience in mechanical design and product development, with substantial experience in vehicle, automotive, off-highway, or special-purpose vehicle applications.Strong hands-on capability in 3D CAD and detailed drawing creation using SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, or a comparable tool; experience with PDM/PLM systems is expected.Practical understanding of vehicle and product development processes, from requirements and concept selection through design release, verification, industrialization, and change management.Proven experience coordinating external engineering companies, design houses, or technical suppliers, including reviewing and accepting their deliverables.Demonstrated ability to lead smaller projects, technical workstreams, or multidisciplinary work packages to agreed scope, quality, and schedule.Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, DFMEA, materials, fabrication methods, and engineering calculations.Experience with prototyping, mechanical testing, durability considerations, vehicle integration, and systematic problem-solving.Clear communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to provide direction, challenge technical proposals, and make well-reasoned engineering decisions.Professional working proficiency in English and the ability to produce clear technical specifications, reviews, and reports.A practical, accountable, and collaborative working style, with the ability to operate independently in a fast-moving engineering environment.Experience with low-volume vehicle development, off-road vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, defense platforms, or other demanding vehicle environments.Working knowledge of relevant automotive and mechanical standards and methods, such as IATF 16949, SAE standards, ASME Y14.5, APQP, DVP&R, or equivalent development frameworks.Experience using or coordinating FEA, structural analysis, fatigue assessment, and validation activities.Previous experience mentoring engineers or acting as a technical lead or work-package lead.What we offerWe offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the Autonomous Robotics industry. Our work culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on innovation and personal growth.If you're passionate about advancing the frontiers of Autonomous Robotics and eager to leave a lasting mark in this domain, seize the opportunity and apply today to join us in sculpting the future of this dynamic field!