Contract Durability Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

At HEN Technologies, we’re building Physical AI for the real world—intelligent systems that sense, understand, and act in high-stakes physical environments. Our first application is transforming fire response: combining advanced fluid dynamics, IoT-enabled hardware, real-world operational data, and AI-powered decision support to help firefighters suppress fires faster, use less water, reduce fatigue, and improve safety. By connecting the physical layer of emergency response with predictive intelligence, HEN is building the infrastructure for a safer, more adaptive future.

Role Overview

HEN Technologies is seeking a hands-on Senior Electro-Mechanical Engineer to own the detailed mechanical design and motor integration for our next generation of nozzle systems.

This engineer will be responsible for transforming product and system-level requirements into optimized, manufacturing-ready nozzle assemblies. The role will include mechanical CAD, motor and actuator selection, detailed component design, prototyping, testing, design iteration, and production documentation.

This is an ideal opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving complex mechanical problems, building and testing physical products, and taking designs from concept through manufacturing.

What You’ll Do Nozzle Design and Optimization

• Own the detailed mechanical design of new nozzle architectures and related assemblies.
• Develop and optimize components for performance, durability, manufacturability, weight, packaging, and cost.
• Translate product requirements and engineering concepts into complete mechanical designs.
• Evaluate design tradeoffs involving geometry, materials, tolerances, actuation, fluid flow, and system integration.
• Build and test prototypes to validate designs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support design reviews, failure analyses, and iterative product development.

Motor and Actuator Integration

• Identify, evaluate, and source motors, actuators, gearboxes, sensors, and related electro-mechanical components.
• Integrate motors and actuation systems into broader nozzle and hardware assemblies.
• Define motor requirements, including torque, speed, duty cycle, power, packaging, environmental performance, and expected service life.
• Design mechanical interfaces, mounting systems, enclosures, transmission components, and cable-routing solutions.
• Develop test plans to validate motor performance, reliability, thermal behavior, and system-level operation.
• Collaborate with electrical, embedded, controls, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration.

Detailed Design and Manufacturing Execution

• Produce accurate, manufacturing-ready 3D CAD models, assemblies, and detailed 2D drawings.
• Apply appropriate GD&T, tolerance analysis, material specifications, finishes, and manufacturing requirements.
• Create and maintain bills of materials and engineering documentation.
• Design components for machining, casting, injection molding, additive manufacturing, and other relevant manufacturing processes.
• Work directly with rapid-prototyping vendors, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to resolve design and production issues.
• Incorporate supplier and manufacturing feedback into product designs.
• Support prototype builds, engineering validation, design validation, and production-readiness activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely handoffs from engineering to sourcing and manufacturing.

Cross-Functional Product Development

• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, embedded, product, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing teams.
• Participate in system architecture discussions and cross-functional design reviews.
• Identify technical risks early and develop practical mitigation plans.
• Investigate prototype and field failures and drive corrective design actions.
• Communicate design decisions, technical tradeoffs, test findings, and project risks clearly.
• Manage assigned design work against project schedules and upcoming product milestones.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
• At least five years of professional experience designing and developing electro-mechanical products.
• Strong proficiency with professional 3D CAD and mechanical drawing tools, preferably SolidWorks.
• Demonstrated experience taking mechanical designs from concept through prototype and manufacturing.
• Experience selecting and integrating motors, actuators, gearboxes, bearings, sensors, or similar components.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including materials, tolerances, fits, fasteners, sealing, thermal considerations, and structural performance.
• Experience producing detailed manufacturing drawings using GD&T.
• Knowledge of common manufacturing processes and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Experience working directly with machine shops, prototype vendors, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
• Strong hands-on prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to manage detailed engineering work independently while collaborating across multiple disciplines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing nozzles, fluid-handling equipment, pumps, valves, flow-control products, or pressurized mechanical systems.
• Experience with motorized positioning, robotics, industrial automation, or motion-control systems.
• Familiarity with fluid dynamics and the relationship between mechanical geometry and flow performance.
• Experience designing products for demanding environmental or industrial conditions.
• Knowledge of ingress protection, corrosion resistance, sealing systems, environmental testing, or high-reliability product development.
• Experience supporting engineering validation testing, design validation testing, and production validation builds.
• Familiarity with tolerance-stack analysis, FEA, CFD, or other engineering simulation tools.
• Experience supporting products from early-stage prototyping through production launch.

What Success Looks Like

During the first year, this engineer will:

• Take ownership of detailed design engineering for one or more new nozzle architectures.
• Deliver complete, accurate, and manufacturing-ready CAD models and engineering drawings.
• Successfully select and integrate motors or actuators into the nozzle assembly.
• Establish repeatable test methods for motor performance and electro-mechanical reliability.
• Improve nozzle performance, reliability, manufacturability, and design maturity through structured testing and iteration.
• Enable smooth handoffs to rapid-prototyping suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Remove nozzle optimization and motor integration as bottlenecks for the broader hardware organization.

Compensation and Benefits

The target annual base salary for this position is $150,000. The final offer will depend on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, technical capabilities, and alignment with the role.

This full-time position is also eligible for HEN Technologies’ standard employee benefits and equity program.

HEN Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace where employees can do their best work.

HEN Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.