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Weekend Inventor Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Requirements What we're looking for: * 5+ years of mechanical product design experience using a solid-body CAD platform (Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, or similar) * 2+ years designing thermal ...

Requirements What we're looking for: * 5+ years of mechanical product design experience using a solid-body CAD platform (Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, or similar) * 2+ years designing thermal ...

Facilities/Porter

Cedar Park, TX · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

... Monitor inventor of and replenish supplies. • Report any maintenance needs and hazards to a ... to work weekends and holidays. • Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Physical ...

Requirements Skills & Qualifications You Need: • Minimum 2 yrs experience with Solidworks 3-D or AutoDesk Inventor Design Software • You've got skills in written and verbal communication. • At ...

Minimum 2 yrs experience with Solidworks 3-D or AutoDesk Inventor Design Software You've got skills in written and verbal communication. At least 1 year Mechanical Engineering/Technical study in an ...

Minimum 2 yrs experience with Solidworks 3-D or AutoDesk Inventor Design Software * You've got skills in written and verbal communication. * At least 1 year Mechanical Engineering/Technical study in ...

Be available to work limited nights or weekends, on a rotating basis, to service emergency needs of our customers. * Participate in company-provided training opportunities on the latest industry ...

Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed * Remain focused while working in hazardous environments, while wearing appropriate PPE * Must be able to lift up to 25lbs unassisted * Must ...

Be available to work limited nights or weekends, on a rotating basis, to service emergency needs of our customers. * Participate in company-provided training opportunities on the latest industry ...

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Showing results 1-20

Weekend Inventor information

See Austin, TX salary details

$80.8K

$154.6K

$198.2K

How much do weekend inventor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for weekend inventor in Austin, TX is $154,561.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,900.00 and $165,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Weekend Inventor vs Part-Time Product Developer?

AspectWeekend InventorPart-Time Product Developer
CredentialsNo formal credentials required, often self-taught or hobbyistsTypically requires technical skills, sometimes with a background in engineering or design
Work EnvironmentHome workshops, personal labs, or maker spacesOffice, studio, or collaborative workspaces
Industry UsageInnovation, prototyping, hobbyist projectsProduct development, prototyping, small-scale manufacturing
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on personal projects, hobbyist innovationFocus on professional or semi-professional product creation

The main difference between a Weekend Inventor and a Part-Time Product Developer lies in their focus and environment. Weekend Inventors typically work on personal or hobby projects in informal settings without formal credentials, while Part-Time Product Developers often have technical skills and work in more structured environments to develop products professionally or semi-professionally.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a weekend inventor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Weekend Inventory Clerk, you need strong attention to detail, basic math skills, and familiarity with inventory management practices, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience with inventory management systems, barcode scanners, and spreadsheets is typically required. Reliability, organizational skills, and the ability to work independently are important soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure accurate inventory tracking, minimize errors, and support efficient warehouse operations during weekend shifts.

How do weekend inventors typically collaborate with other professionals to bring their ideas to life?

Weekend Inventors often work independently on their concepts but frequently collaborate with engineers, designers, and patent attorneys to refine, prototype, and protect their inventions. They may also connect with local maker spaces, online inventor communities, or participate in hackathons to gather feedback and build partnerships. Effective communication and networking are key, as collaborating with experts can help overcome technical challenges and accelerate the path from idea to viable product.

What is a weekend inventor?

Weekend Inventors are individuals who pursue invention and innovation as a hobby or side project, typically during their free time on weekends. They often work on creating new products, improving existing technologies, or solving everyday problems outside of their regular work hours. Weekend Inventors may build prototypes, conduct experiments, or collaborate with other enthusiasts to bring their ideas to life. Many successful inventions have started as weekend projects before becoming commercial products.

Mechanical Engineer

Sentient Industries

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

About the Role
Sentient Industries is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our team in Austin, TX. In this role, you'll design rugged enclosures and thermal management systems for embedded products, owning designs from concept through production. You'll collaborate with electrical, firmware, and manufacturing engineers to deliver reliable, production-ready hardware for demanding environments.
What you'll do when you get here:
  • Design mechanical enclosures for rugged embedded systems
  • Develop active and passive thermal management solutions
  • Design for environmental sealing, including IP67, IP67+, and NEMA 4 enclosures
  • Create and maintain production CAD models, drawings, and documentation
  • Perform FEA to validate structural and thermal designs
  • Design and support mechanical validation testing, including vibration, thermal, stress, and strain testing
  • Design components for sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and production manufacturing processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams throughout product development
  • Support prototype builds and transition designs into production

This is an Austin, TX-based position. Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are not available. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship and either reside in the Austin area or be willing to relocate at their own expense.
Requirements
What we're looking for:
  • 5+ years of mechanical product design experience using a solid-body CAD platform (Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, or similar)
  • 2+ years designing thermal management systems using active and/or passive cooling methods
  • Experience designing production hardware with sheet metal, CNC machined components, and molding processes
  • Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Experience designing products through the full development lifecycle from prototype to production
  • Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles
  • Must be able to pass a federal background check

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
  • Experience designing injection molded plastic components
  • Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing)
  • Experience designing environmentally sealed products (IP67, NEMA 4, or similar)
  • Experience developing products tested to MIL-STD-810 or similar environmental standards
  • Experience using Fusion 360

Benefits
  • Comprehensive Healthcare Plan Options (Employee-paid)
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Training & Development