Staff Mechanical Engineer

ABOUT US At Hayden AI, we are on a mission to harness the power of computer vision to transform the way transit systems and other government agencies address real-world challenges. From bus lane and bus stop enforcement to transportation optimization technologies and beyond, our innovative mobile perception system empowers our clients to accelerate transit, enhance street safety, and drive toward a sustainable future. JOB SUMMARY: As the Staff Mechanical Engineer, you will play a key role in building the rugged hardware systems that bring Hayden AI’s vision AI platform into real-world deployment. You will own critical mechanical engineering efforts across product architecture, structural and thermal design, vehicle integration, prototyping, validation, and production launch for automotive-grade systems operating in challenging outdoor environments. You will report into the Mechanical Engineering team and partner closely with Electrical, Embedded, Computer Vision, Manufacturing, Operations and Installation teams. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-moving startup environment and brings deep technical capability, strong engineering judgment, and hands-on experience developing reliable hardware products for production. RESPONSIBILITIES: - Lead end-to-end design of vehicle-mounted hardware systems, including enclosures, brackets, and structural components - Own mechanical architecture for products operating in automotive environments (vibration, shock, thermal, weather exposure) - Design and develop sheet metal and fabricated structures optimized for performance, cost, manufacturability, assembly and installation - Drive product development from concept → prototype → validation → production → installation - Perform and guide engineering analyses (FEA, vibration, fatigue, thermal, tolerance stack-ups) - Partner cross-functionally with electrical, computer vision, manufacturing and installation team - Work closely with suppliers and contract manufacturers on DFM/DFA, tooling, and scaling production - Establish best practices for CAD, drawings, GD&T, and design reviews - Mentor engineers and raise the bar for mechanical design quality and rigor - Identify technical risks early and lead mitigation strategies - Travel to customer sites (domestically and internationally) to support pilot hardware installations REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field - 8+ years of experience designing and shipping complex hardware systems - Strong hands-on experience with vehicle or automotive-grade mechanical design - Deep expertise in structures, brackets, and sheet metal fabrication - Proficiency in CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX) - Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and stack-ups - Experience in design, manufacturing technologies and DFM/DFA for low-to-medium volume production scaling - Experience designing for harsh environments (vibration, ingress protection, thermal cycling) - Proven track record of taking products from prototype to production - Strong ownership mindset and ability to operate in a fast-paced startup - Experience working with and managing JDM partners PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field - Experience with vehicle integration (mounting to buses, fleets, or automotive platforms) - Familiarity with automotive standards (e.g., vibration, environmental, ingress protection) - Experience with sheetmetal and machined structural components - Background in ruggedized electronics enclosures or camera/sensor systems - Experience with FEA tools - Experience working with global suppliers