Development Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE As a Mechanical Development Engineer at HIGHCAT, you'll own hardware development end-to-end: from early concept CAD work through prototype iteration to field-ready systems that our customers can rely on. This isn’t a role for someone who wants to specialise narrowly in FMEA or thermal analysis. You’ll work on the whole aspects of mechanical design: DFM, materials selection, integration with electronics and software, and testing. If your energy is always focusing to get the system working in the operator’s hands then this role is for you. The systems you will work on will directly affect operators in contested environments.

Core Tasks & Responsibilities Full-System Ownership

Design, prototype, and iterate on mechanical systems for products like our Ocelot, taking them from concept validation through field deployment

Work across the full stack of hardware development: mechanical, electrical integration, and software interfaces, rather than staying confined to a single discipline

Make pragmatic tradeoffs between performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule, especially when information is incomplete

Prototype-to-Production

Build and test rapid prototypes, then translate lessons learned into production-ready designs

Coordinate directly with manufacturing and production teams to ensure designs survive contact with reality

Identify and resolve integration issues between mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems before they become field failures

Scrappy Execution

Operate effectively with limited resources, ambiguous specs, and tight timelines. Build what's needed now, not the theoretically perfect version

Get hands-on: machine shop work, bench testing, and field testing are part of the job, not someone else's job

Anticipate technical bottlenecks before they stall a release and find pragmatic paths around them

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as a technical bridge between engineering, software, and production, translating requirements into working hardware

Communicate clearly with stakeholders and leadership, especially when tradeoffs need to be made under pressure

High-Performance Culture

Contribute to a culture of excellence where accountability is high, feedback is direct, and learning from setbacks drives improvements

Ensure intelligent risk-taking, rapid iteration of development cycles, and unwavering commitment to customer success

Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, team members, and upper management, ensuring that information isn’t lost.