Lead Mechanical Engineer

Who we are Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards. As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously. We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications. The role As Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will take ownership of the mechanical architecture of Helsing's marine robotics systems, guiding a small team of engineers from concept through to delivery. Working alongside electronic engineers, roboticists, and production specialists, you will set the technical direction for mechanical design, prototyping, testing, and industrialisation. Your decisions will shape the robustness, scalability, and performance of systems that operate in some of the most demanding environments on earth, directly advancing Helsing's mission to protect our democracies. The day-to-day Lead the mechanical design of parts and full assemblies, from early-stage concept through to production-ready documentation, ensuring form, fit, and function across the system Set the technical direction for hydrodynamic performance and energy efficiency, translating requirements into validated design choices that enhance the manoeuvrability and reliability of underwater systems Mentor and guide a small team of mechanical engineers, reviewing their work, supporting their development, and maintaining consistency across all technical decisions Define and execute validation and qualification test programmes, ensuring designs meet rigorous standards for the underwater maritime environment Produce and maintain comprehensive design documentation in line with ASME/ISO drawing standards and company quality guidelines, using 3D/2D CAD and PLM tools You should apply if you Have designed and delivered mechanical systems for underwater robotics, ROVs, AUVs, or similarly demanding marine applications, taking work from requirements through to validated hardware Have guided or mentored engineers in a technical setting, providing clear direction and ensuring the quality and consistency of the team's output Are proficient with 3D/2D CAD and PLM tools such as SolidWorks/PDM or Siemens NX/Teamcenter, and apply ASME/ISO drawing standards rigorously in your work Understand the physical and environmental constraints of the underwater maritime domain, including pressure, corrosion, and hydrodynamic considerations Communicate clearly and precisely in English, both in written documentation and in cross-disciplinary collaboration Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points. Nice to Have Practical knowledge of hydrodynamics and CFD, with experience applying simulation to inform design decisions Familiarity with underwater actuators and sensor systems, including brushed and brushless motors, servomotors, or magnetic coupling Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face uniq