Mechanical Engineer II

Picarro • Santa Clara, CA

5d • $120,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and highly hands‑on Mechanical Engineer II to lead part‑level mechanical design efforts for the modernization of CRDS (Cavity Ring‑Down Spectroscopy) gas analyzers. This role is heavily focused on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), with direct responsibility for taking precision mechanical components and subassemblies from concept through production release. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor with deep expertise in mechanical design, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and production transition. You will work closely with machine shops, contract manufacturers, and cross‑functional partners to ensure designs are robust, manufacturable, verifiable, and scalable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design for precision instrumentation, electromechanical products, or similar hardware systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in DFM/DFA, tolerance analysis, and production‑oriented design.
• Strong hands‑on experience working with machine shops and manufacturers.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks and experience using SolidWorks PDM in a controlled engineering environment.
• Solid understanding of materials selection, manufacturing processes, and finishing techniques.
• Experience performing and interpreting mechanical simulations and analyses.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing (shock, vibration, thermal).
• Proven success transitioning products from NPI to production.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with gas analyzers, analytical instruments, or opto‑mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with clean‑room or contamination‑sensitive assemblies.
• Experience designing tooling and assembly stations for low‑ to mid‑volume production.
• Strong documentation, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design & Development Own part‑level and subassembly mechanical design for next‑generation and modernized CRDS gas analyzer platforms, from early concept through production release.
• Apply DFM/DFA principles throughout the design process to reduce part count, simplify assembly, improve yield, and lower cost.
• Design precision mechanical components including machined parts, sheet metal, castings, and assemblies requiring tight tolerances.
• Select appropriate materials and surface treatments considering performance, manufacturability, cost, environmental exposure, and long‑term reliability.
• Manufacturing & Supplier Collaboration Work directly with local machine shops and contract manufacturers to review designs, iterate for manufacturability, and resolve fabrication issues.
• Support supplier sourcing, quote reviews, and vendor technical discussions.
• Verify that fabricated parts and assemblies meet engineering drawings and specifications, including hands‑on inspection and fit checks.
• Prototyping, Build & Tooling Build and debug mechanical subassemblies and prototypes, supporting alpha, beta, and pilot builds.
• Design precision tooling, fixtures, gauges, and assembly stations to support repeatable manufacturing and testing.
• Define assembly sequences and support development of work instructions and SOPs in collaboration with manufacturing teams.
• CAD, Drawings & Data Management Create detailed mechanical drawings (ASME Y14.5) including GD&T, tolerance stacks, and manufacturing notes.
• Develop and manage CAD models using SolidWorks, including top‑down and bottom‑up design approaches.
• Follow best practices for SolidWorks PDM, including file structure, version control, release workflows, and revision management.
• Simulation, Analysis & Verification Use simulation and engineering analysis as part of the design strategy, including stress, fatigue, structural, thermal analysis with reliability considerations and life modeling
• Support and interpret results from environmental testing, including shock, vibration, and thermal cycling.
• Collaborate with test and systems engineers to correlate analytical predictions with empirical results.
• NPI & Production Transition Lead mechanical aspects of New Product Introduction (NPI) from prototype through pilot and production ramp.
• Support design transfer to manufacturing, including ECOs, drawing releases, and production readiness reviews.
• Assist with production issue resolution, root cause analysis, and corrective actions during early manufacturing.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level