Principal Mechanical Engineer

Employer description

About BRINC:At BRINC, we are building the technology that will define the future of emergency response. As a vertically integrated U.S. drone technology company, BRINC designs and manufactures unmanned aircraft systems, autonomous drone stations, command-and-control software, and advanced autonomy for public safety. Today, BRINC deploys Drone as First Responder (DFR) networks that dispatch drones directly to 911 calls, providing real-time aerial intelligence before ground units arrive and helping first responders make faster, safer decisions. BRINC serves more than 1,000 public safety customers across all 50 states, is the sole drone supplier to Motorola Solutions, and has raised more than $280 million from leading strategic and technology investors, including Motorola Solutions, Index Ventures, Sam Altman, Dylan Field, and others. BRINC is recruiting exceptional engineers to build the next generation of autonomous emergency-response technology, including flight-critical firmware and advanced pilot-assistance capabilities.

About this Role:We are seeking an experienced and passionate Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the end-to-end development of our drones and related electro-mechanical systems. At BRINC, we own the full lifecycle development of our products, from initial concept through to final validation, ensuring reliability and performance in safety critical drone operations. Principal Engineers are as comfortable setting standards for good mechanical design practices, working on new system architectures, mentoring junior members, as they are running an FEA analysis, owning the detailed design of the parts in a complex mechanism or building a working prototype.

At BRINC, Principal-level engineers stay deeply hands-on. They tackle our hardest problems with direct design ownership. The candidate should have demonstrated fluency in plastic and metal parts design, electronics packaging, kinematics, dynamics, and control systems. They ideally have experience with precision actuators, gimbals and related mechanical systems for drone applications. Someone with a track record of personally shipping lightweight, high-performance mechanisms for demanding environments, and the technical range to move fluidly between hands-on execution and setting direction for others.

Key Responsibilities:Own end-to-end design of critical electro-mechanical systems, personally producing detailed design work (CAD, drawings, analysis) - from specification and design through prototyping, testing, and manufacturing handoff

Set technical standards and best engineering practices (CAD, DFM, DFA, DFT, GD&T, drawing standards, etc.) for the engineering team

Actively develop junior and mid-level engineers

Make sound engineering decisions with ambiguous or incomplete information

Collaborate effectively with electrical, software, perception, controls and manufacturing partners, modeling strong cross-functional communication

Influence technical direction across teams and build alignment without direct authority. Clearly communicate design decisions and technical tradeoffs to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Partner with Industrial Design to ensure final products meet design intent without compromising manufacturability or reliability

Qualifications:BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics (or similar field)

10+ years of experience in the design of complex electro-mechanical systems from concept to production

Strong hands-on experience with the ability to craft proof-of-concept prototypes

Expertise in precision mechanisms such as linkages, gears, cams, actuators including motion control, load analysis, and kinematic design.

Demonstrated knowledge of common manufacturing methods: injection molding, casting, stamping, machining, 3D printing, etc.

Experience and passion for mentoring other engineers through hands-on collaboration.

Experience operating in a fast-paced environment where rapid iteration and safety-critical rigor matter.

Strong command of DFM, DFA and DFT principles, and when to appropriately apply them in a fast iteration environment

Experience with statistical tolerance analysis, dimensioning and GD&T in accordance with ASME Y14.5

Proficiency with industry-standard 3D CAD tools and PDM/PLM

Working knowledge of material properties across plastics, metals, adhesives, and glass.

Ability to effectively communicate concepts and proposals through design reviews and presentations to leadership, both technical and non-technical

Preferred SkillsMaster of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related degree

10+ years of experience designing mechanical solutions for Aerospace, Robotics, Consumer Electronics or related industries

Experience designing mechanical solutions for UAV/UAS used in commercial, industrial, or defense applications

Demonstrated technical expertise core engineering disciplines

Experience working with domestic and international supply chain partners

Experience with packaging for electronics in constrained spaces, and designing for high-stress, shock & vibe environments

Experience with failure analysis and FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Strong knowledge of motor types and their appropriate applications (DC, stepper, brushless, servo) and motor drive systems, including speed controllers and feedback mechanisms. Experience in motor selection, control (PWM, PID), and integration for high-performance, precision applications

Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

Ability to work independently and in a small team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

BRINC Culture Values:Try the hard stuff

Be innovative - Invent the future

Move fast

Listen to end-users

Strive for excellence

Don’t build a dystopia

Be frugal

Save lives through technology

If you’re interested in this role and in joining BRINC, we hope you’ll apply. We’d love to review your application and get to know more about you!

BRINC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is resolute in cultivating an environment that promotes safety, diversity, inclusion and equity. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering every employee so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need, please let our recruiting team know - we strive to provide appropriate accommodation and assistance.

Benefits and perks listed below may vary based on the nature of your employment with BRINC and/or the country within which you work

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 snacks, drinks and espresso (Seattle office)