• Location: Onsite in Austin, TX
• Employment Type: Full-time, Direct Hire
• Department: Hardware Engineering
• Compensation: $110K – $155K plus equity

About 9 Mothers:

• Develop AI-powered machines to intercept and neutralize Group 1/sUAS threats in real-time.
• Flagship product is a low-power counter-drone system for vehicles, bases, or soldiers.
• Focus on immediate survival solutions rather than long-term research.
• Team consists of hackers, engineers, and mission-driven builders.

Position Summary:

• Own high-speed imaging capability end-to-end for testing.
• Use high-speed imaging as a diagnostic tool to deliver quantitative kinematic data.
• Design test setups and produce analysis to answer engineering questions on firearms and counter-drone systems.

Essential Duties:

• Plan and execute high-speed imaging tests for mechanism analysis and ballistic pattern capture.
• Design test setups including camera positioning and trigger architecture.
• Operate Photron Fastcam and Phantom high-speed cameras.
• Implement trigger circuits from TTL sources.
• Set up lighting rigs for scientific imaging.
• Assess data quality immediately after capture.
• Extract kinematic data using motion analysis software (PFA, ProAnalyst).
• Calibrate measurements and propagate uncertainty.
• Produce actionable reports with stated confidence levels.
• Maintain test records and calibration documentation.
• Design/build test fixtures and integrate supplementary sensors.
• Own data acquisition hardware setup and operation.
• Develop test plans, procedures, protocols; manage campaigns; evaluate equipment.

Requirements:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related field.
• 3+ years experience with scientific high-speed cameras (Photron Fastcam, Phantom).
• Experience extracting quantitative kinematic data (velocity, acceleration, displacement).
• Proficiency with motion analysis software (PFA, ProAnalyst).
• Experience designing external trigger systems for tests.
• Understanding of lighting for high-speed imaging.
• Ability to assess data quality in the field; adjust setups real time.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and sensor integration.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in ballistics or weapons systems testing environments.
• Familiarity with firearms mechanics.
• Experience with MIL‑STD documentation and defense T&E workflows.
• Test fixture design/fabrication experience.
• Experience with Schlieren or shadowgraph imaging techniques.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.
• M.S. degree in relevant discipline.
• Passion for robotics or engineering projects as a hobby.

Success Criteria:

• Complete at least one high-speed imaging campaign within first 90 days delivering actionable kinematic data report used by engineers.
• Establish repeatable setup and trigger procedures for primary tests.
• Ensure camera setup correct first time; footage quality assessed same day; data delivered within days post-test event.

Work Environment:

• Active test environment including indoor range/outdoor field testing with live fire.
• Comfort working around firearms; muzzle blast; safety protocols required.
• Outdoor testing in central Texas conditions including direct sun/heat.

Benefits:

• Meaningful early equity ownership
• Direct influence on product roadmap
• Mission-critical work addressing immediate threats
• Access to new lab optimized for rapid prototyping
• Employer-paid medical/dental/vision premiums (100%) plus 50% dependent coverage
• Unlimited PTO
• Direct reporting to founders with technical autonomy

-Austin-based onsite culture promoting collaboration

• Relocation assistance available

Interview Process: v1. Virtual interview with Directors of Mechatronics & Mechanical Engineering (45 min) v2. Virtual interview with Director of Operations v3. In-person visit to Austin to meet founders/team v4. Offer extended