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
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
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
Skills Required
- Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 8+ years designing and shipping complex hardware systems
- Hands-on experience with vehicle or automotive-grade mechanical design
- Expertise in structures, brackets, and sheet metal fabrication
- Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX)
- Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and stack-ups
- Experience in DFM/DFA and low-to-medium volume production scaling
- Experience designing for harsh environments (vibration, ingress protection, thermal cycling)
- Proven track record taking products from prototype to production
- Experience working with and managing JDM partners
- Strong ownership mindset and ability to operate in a fast-paced startup
- Master's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Experience with vehicle integration (mounting to buses, fleets, automotive platforms)
- Familiarity with automotive standards (vibration, environmental, ingress protection)
- Background in ruggedized electronics enclosures or camera/sensor systems
- Experience with FEA tools
- Experience working with global suppliers
Hayden AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Hayden AI and has not been reviewed or approved by Hayden AI.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is described as competitive for senior technical roles, with multiple posted ranges and wage baselines converging around high six figures. Equity and a company-wide bonus plan are also referenced as parts of the overall package.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents is consistently listed, alongside FSA/DCFSA options. Some listings indicate very high employer premium coverage depending on role and location.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with an employer match is repeatedly cited as a standard component of the package. The presence of a stated match suggests a more structured retirement benefit than many early-stage startups.
Hayden AI Insights
What We Do
Artificial intelligence is already impacting almost every aspect of our lives. But cities still rely on outdated technologies that are too expensive to scale and unable to deliver on their promise. As a result, streets are becoming unsafe, and cities are becoming unmanageable. Hayden AI was founded on the belief that by combining mobile sensors with artificial intelligence, we can help governments bridge the innovation gap while making traffic flow less dangerous and more efficient. Led by a team of experts in machine learning, data science, transportation, and government technology, we’ve developed the world’s first autonomous traffic management platform — simultaneously serving citizens and multi-agency missions to help cities become safer and more sustainable.
