Job Description

Who we are:

Paradigm Robotics is an Austin, Texas based robotics startup building rugged, scalable robots for situational awareness in hazardous environments. We serve firefighting, emergency response, public safety, oil & gas, defense, and industrial markets. Our mission is to create a new paradigm of scalable, reliable, and useful robots for real-world hazardous operations - providing critical solutions to the most dangerous problems out there.

We've raised an oversubscribed round from top-tier venture firms. We're working directly with over 80 of the largest fire departments, law enforcement agencies, industrial teams, and military units across the U.S., including the Air Force, Army, and SERDP. Our robots are built with and for firefighters, first responders, warfighters, and emergency crews.

Why this will be challenging, meaningful, and fun work

We are solving problems that matter. Building robots that operate in fire, heat, debris, water, and chaos is incredibly hard, and building them to scale is even harder. That is why we focus on engineering rigor, rapid iteration, and deep user feedback. We ship real robots into real fires for real customers, which means everyone on the team takes ownership, talks to users, and builds.

We value curiosity, autonomy, and low-ego collaboration, and we celebrate wins while owning mistakes. At the same time, we know how to have fun. From stargazing trips, go-kart races, and off-sites to Tulum, to goldfish pranks that turned into a full aquarium, we work hard and enjoy the ride together. This is a place where you can do your best work, learn a ton, build cool things, and make lifelong friends.

Role:

Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-Op

Fall 2025

Role Type:

Full-Time

Role Description:

As a Mechanical Engineering Intern at Paradigm Robotics, you'll be expected to contribute meaningfully from day one. From helping design, prototype, build, and test mechanical systems that survive real-world fires, floods, and high-risk environments to traveling to customer sites to test and deploy robots.

You'll work closely with our senior engineers but will also have real ownership over components and subsystems. You'll take on design work that matters, see it tested in the field, and help improve it based on performance. Our interns are expected to operate like full team members - self-directed, responsible, and ready to get hands-on when something breaks or needs to ship.

This is a high-ownership, fast-paced role where you'll learn a lot, build a lot, and leave with real-world experience that few internships can offer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own the design and prototyping of mechanical parts and subassemblies in CAD Build, test, and iterate on components with guidance from senior engineers Support DFM reviews and prepare documentation for manufacturing and assembly Assist in field test setups, hands-on debugging, and rapid on-the-fly fixes Participate in design reviews and be expected to contribute with clear thinking and curiosity Work across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to ensure systems integrate smoothly Learn how to balance speed, cost, reliability, and ruggedness in every design decision
Who we are looking for:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field Comfortable using CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar) to design real hardware Eager to take ownership and work through uncertainty Strong interest in hands-on engineering, testing, and iteration Clear communicator who asks questions and follows through
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with mechanical assemblies, electromechanical systems, or robotics Familiar with GD&T and mechanical drawings Comfortable using basic shop tools, working with your hands, and learning fast Experience working on student teams (robotics, FSAE, aerospace, etc.) or personal builds
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Willing to work long hours when needed -- especially when preparing for tests, field deployments, or builds Hands-on in design, assembly, testing, or in-field deployments Comfortable operating with a lot of autonomy and not waiting for perfect instructions Ready to contribute to something real and be treated like a full engineer on the team Interested in building high-impact hardware that saves lives in the real world
Work Environment:

Austin, Texas

In-Person

Monday - Friday/Saturday (5/6 days a week)

40-60+ hours a week

Compensation and Benefits:

$25-$40/hr

Flexible Schedule/Unlimited PTO

Free meals, swag, and more!

Exposure to top-tier founders, investors, customers, and real-world robotics deployments

Contact:

Please contact talent@paradigmrobotics.tech with any questions. Do not send an application through this email - it will not be screened.

At Paradigm Robotics, we believe the best ideas come from working side by side. We're an office-first team because building breakthrough tech that rolls into burning buildings takes tight feedback loops, fast iteration, and real-time collaboration. That said, we trust our team with autonomy. If you need to work from home once in a while, that's totally fine. What matters is that we deliver together.

We're building robots to keep first responders safe and change how emergency response works. To do that, we need a team with a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and lived experiences. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to a culture where everyone feels ownership, respect, and belonging. If our mission resonates with you, we'd love to meet you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 - 60 per week

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Referral program Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person