Mechanical Engineer - Automation & Testing

Avicena Tech•Sunnyvale, CA

About The Position

We are seeking an entry-level to mid-level (IC1 – IC2) mechanical engineer to join our interdisciplinary Automation and Testing team. This role is critical to developing the mechanical infrastructure that enables high-speed, automated testing of our uLED optical interconnect technology. You'll design fixtures, test stations, and automation systems that validate our cutting-edge products while working at the intersection of mechanical design, optics, electronics, and software.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
0-3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and prototyping
Proficiency in mechanical CAD software (Autodesk Inventor preferred)
Strong understanding of:
GD&T principles and tolerance analysis
Material properties and selection criteria
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
Fastener selection and assembly techniques
Hands-on prototyping skills and experience building physical assemblies
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced startup environment
Excellent teamwork and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with motion control systems (linear stages, actuators, servo systems)
Knowledge of optical systems, fiber optics, or optical testing methods
Familiarity with RF testing or other specialized test methodologies
Understanding of electronics, circuit boards, and PCB integration
Experience with thermal management and vacuum systems
Knowledge of clean room protocols and requirements
Experience with FEA analysis tools (COMSOL, ANSYS)
Exposure to automation equipment, robotics, or vision systems
Familiarity with MATLAB, Python or similar

Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Development
Design mechanical parts, fixtures, and assemblies with proper GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
Create detailed mechanical drawings and prepare specifications for manufacturing vendors
Design for different materials (metals, plastics, composites) and manufacturing methods (CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal)
Understand design trade-offs between prototyping methods (3D printing) and production manufacturing (machining)
Understand design revisioning, PDM and PLM
Work with mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineers to develop project strategies and approaches
Select appropriate fasteners and develop assembly strategies for multi-component systems
Test Fixture & Automation System Design
Design and build mechanical mock-ups and proof-of-concept prototypes to validate design approaches before full system integration
Develop test fixtures for optical testing, including wafer probing, LED/photodetector array alignment, and fiber optic integration
Design fixtures that accommodate movement requirements, balancing complexity, accuracy, and speed for high-throughput automation
Create mechanical systems that manage vibration control, thermal effects, vacuum hold-downs, and part handling
Design for ESD protection and clean room environments where required
Assembly & System Integration
Perform micron-level assembly and alignment of optical components
Integrate mechanical fixtures with electronics, circuit boards, and optical test equipment
Develop low-volume assembly production processes and maintain component inventory
Build and validate sub-modules before full system assembly
Retrofit and upgrade existing designs to add new capabilities or improve performance
Vendor & Manufacturing Collaboration
Communicate with manufacturing houses to understand their capabilities and design within those constraints
Source quotes and submit purchase requests for components and materials
Manage parts procurement and inventory for sub-assemblies and test systems