Mechanical Engineer

ConnectDER•Philadelphia, PA

34d•$105,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

ConnectDER is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to drive the end-to-end development of innovative ConnectDER products. In this role, you will apply sound engineering principles and system-level awareness to break down complex requirements, develop robust technical solutions, and collaborate cross-functionally across the organization to bring products from initial concept to manufacturing hand-off. The position is full-time (~40 hours per week) and based at our Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, following an Office-First Hybrid work style requiring at least 3 days per week in-office, with a strong preference for 5 days on-site. The role involves 5% travel. The compensation range is $105,000 - $115,000 plus bonus and equity. The company culture is collaborative, transparent, and team-oriented, valuing open communication and thoughtful perspectives. ConnectDER is a dynamic, venture-backed company focused on developing cutting-edge products for the clean energy sector.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
At least 3-5 years of direct relevant experience
Proven capability in 3D CAD modeling (Solidworks preferred)
Tolerance analysis
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Hands-on experience in product design
Specific expertise in plastic part design
Hands-on experience in rapid prototyping (3D printing, machining, sheet metal, fabrication) and testing
Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
Experience designing injection molded parts
Direct experience navigating the NRTL certification process (UL, Intertek, etc.)
Background in the electrical utility, ANSI metering, or renewable energy grid integration industries

Responsibilities

Drive medium-sized mechanical designs autonomously from initial concept through manufacturing hand-off and product sustaining.
Distill complex product requirements into detailed technical specifications, interface requirements, and design concepts.
Create 3D CAD models, tolerance analyses, detailed part/assembly drawings, and Bills of Material (BOMs), balancing trade-offs between performance, manufacturability, technical debt, and speed.
Break down complex engineering scope into manageable tasks, track progress against estimates, and anticipate roadblocks to keep development timelines on schedule.
Own early-stage product testing by developing test procedures, evaluating system capabilities, and anticipating potential design edge cases.
Collect, analyze, and summarize data into clear test reports. Use findings to refine designs and mitigate technical risks early in the development cycle.
Debug design and manufacturing issues proactively.
Fabricate, 3D print, and modify components to build prototype units.
Build prototype and sample units for use in product evaluation, certification, utility and customer approval, and marketing/tradeshow models.
Present technical decisions, trade-offs, and risks clearly during design reviews and cross-functional planning sessions.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners (PMO, QA, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain) to align on implementation details, supplier selection, and resourcing.
Serve as a technical role model and provide guidance to junior team members to help elevate the engineering team’s overall capabilities.