Mechanical Design Manager

Company Description

Solinas Integrity, a deep-tech startup originating from IIT Madras, is on a mission to revolutionize the water and sanitation sector by addressing critical issues such as manual scavenging, water accessibility, and sewer management. Recognized as the “Best on Campus Startup of 2022” by Economic Times and celebrated by distinguished leaders, Solinas delivers innovative and indigenous robotic solutions for pipeline inspection, manhole and septic tank cleaning, and underground asset management. The company has deployed groundbreaking technologies like the Homosep Robot and Endobot to over 30 cities, solving challenges of water contamination and sewer maintenance. Certified under ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018, Solinas exemplifies a commitment to quality, sustainability, and safety.

Role Description We are looking for a hands-on, visionary Design Engineering Manager to lead the end-to-end lifecycle of our robotic product lines. This role will own the journey from R&D, prototyping to testing, validation, and final product release. The ideal candidate should have a strong mechanical or industrial design background and proven experience managing cross-functional product development involving electronics, firmware, and mechanical systems. This is a leadership role with deep technical involvement, requiring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. You will work closely with the design, engineering, testing, and manufacturing teams to turn ideas into reality

Key Responsibilities: Product Lifecycle Ownership ● Lead the full lifecycle of hardware product development — from ideation, R&D, and prototyping to field testing, iteration, and commercial release.

● Define and drive the product development roadmap for inspection and cleaning robots in collaboration with leadership and field teams.

Cross-Functional Coordination ● Act as the primary liaison between mechanical design, electronics, firmware, and software teams to ensure seamless integration of subsystems.

● Collaborate with field deployment, sales, and service teams to gather feedback for continuous product improvement.

Design & Engineering Leadership ● Oversee mechanical and industrial design with a focus on reliability, manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and user-centric product development.

● Guide and lead the engineering team in rigorous design practices, CAD modeling, prototyping, and design validation.

Testing & Reliability ● Define testing protocols and validation criteria for prototypes and final products to meet performance, durability, and safety standards.

● Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes to resolve design or field issues.

Experience: ● 10+ years of experience in hardware product development, preferably in robotics, automation, or industrial systems.

Technical Skills: ● Lead the mechanical design process for special purpose machines from concept to completion.

● Develop detailed design specifications and engineering drawings using CAD software.

● Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, software developers, and project managers, to ensure seamless integration of all machine components.

● Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments to identify potential design challenges and propose effective solutions.

● Oversee the prototyping, testing, and validation of new designs to ensure they meet all performance and safety requirements.

● Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and design team members.

● Stay up-to-date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices to continuously improve design processes and outcomes.

● Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations.

● Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians.

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or relevant stream.