Anno.ai is a mission-focused defense technology startup dedicated to accelerating the safe and effective development of next-generation autonomous systems. We specialize in building and operating advanced test ranges for low Technology Readiness Level single or dual‑use autonomous platforms, providing a critical bridge between early‑stage innovation and real‑world mission requirements.
Our ranges replicate complex, contested, and dynamic environments, allowing innovators, researchers, and defense partners to validate, stress‑test, and mature their systems with speed and rigor. Anno.ai ensures that emerging autonomous technologies are tested for performance, resilience, adaptability, and operational relevance.
We intentionally build our teams on the foundation of trust. Our values—trust rule, ownership, bias for action, never stop learning, and sustainable excellence—guide how we work internally and how we partner with customers and stakeholders.
Position Overview
As a Mechanical Engineer at Anno.ai, you will design, develop, prototype, document, test, and support the manufacturing of systems used in field‑deployable autonomous, sensor, and mission‑support platforms. You will create 3D models, mechanical drawings, schematics, fixtures, mounts, enclosures, and components that enable rugged, reliable operation in demanding field environments.
You will work directly with product, manufacturing, and field operations teams to develop designs that support integrated systems and components. This role requires a hands‑on engineer who can move quickly from concept to CAD to prototype to manufacturable hardware while balancing performance, durability, weight, cost, serviceability, and operational constraints.
We are looking for engineers with experience designing rugged mechanical systems, enclosures, mounts, and field‑ready hardware. Experience with additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, environmental hardening, pressure testing, weather‑resistant materials, manufacturing support, and military‑standard design considerations is ideal. The ideal candidate would reside in Minnesota.
Candidates need to be able to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required). Candidates must be able to travel up to 20% of the time.
What You Will Do
- End‑to‑end design and layout of complex PCBAs
- Electronics system architecture of field‑ready systems
- Development of power and communications systems
- Subject matter expert for electronics elements in Anno's products
- Troubleshooting and design iteration
- Work with software team on software‑hardware interfaces
- Integration with external systems
- Field test and support of products
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
- 5+ years of professional experience designing mechanical systems, enclosures, mounts, fixtures, rugged hardware, sensor payloads, or field‑deployable equipment
- Strong proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, or similar software, including production‑quality mechanical drawing practices
- Experience with tolerance stack‑ups, GD&T, revision control, design reviews, and manufacturable documentation
- Experience with components for field‑serviceable hardware
- Experience supporting additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, prototype fabrication, and design iteration from early concepts through functional test articles
- Experience supporting manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, composites, injection molding, casting, or low‑rate production builds
- Experience with environmental design considerations including sealing, water resistance, corrosion resistance, vibration, shock, thermal management, UV exposure, and weatherization
- Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, schematics, layout files, BOMs, technical orders, and mechanical drawings
- Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
- Ability to travel up to 20%
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting UAS/cUAS systems, defense or aerospace industry
- Experience designing for extreme environments
- Experience with maritime, coastal, buoy‑mounted, vehicle‑mounted, or other outdoor systems exposed to moisture, salt air, pressure, wind, temperature variation, and long‑duration field operation
- Experience with MIL‑STD‑style environmental hardening, ruggedization, shock/vibration design, ingress protection, corrosion control, or field qualification testing
- Experience with additive manufacturing
Total Rewards Package for Our US Employees
- Competitive salary
- Equity
- Comprehensive benefits package
- 401(k) with a 5% company match
- Paid holidays and generous paid time off
- Paid leave programs
- Patent bonus program
- Employee referral bonus program
- Learning and development program
- Opportunity to work with a team of highly skilled, creative, and motivated team members