Mechanical Engineer

Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc.•Post Falls, ID

12d•$84,900 - $124,100•Onsite

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer II/III transforms ideas into field-ready wildfire mitigation solutions that protect structures, support operations, and reduce wildfire risk. This hands-on role bridges engineering design and field deployment, owning projects from concept through design, prototyping, testing, refinement, and transition into production and operational use. The engineer balances speed, ingenuity, safety, manufacturability, quality, and cost to deliver scalable, commercially viable solutions that perform in real-world conditions. The position works within Wildfire Defense Systems’ integrated engineering ecosystem, including Wildfire Protection Engineering, Innovation & Assembly, and Wildfire Technical Services. It operates in an entrepreneurial, agile, mission-driven environment where engineering decisions affect reliability, safety, and continuity of operations. The engineer works closely with the Innovation & Assembly Manager, WPE engineers, Innovation & Assembly technicians, the Chief Wildfire Officer, Field Operations, and external vendors and partners, and may periodically support projects through WTS. Work includes hands-on fabrication, low-voltage electrical integration, applied engineering analysis, testing, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and field validation. The engineer may design, build, modify, and test physical systems in laboratory and field environments, including performing validation under compressed timelines while maintaining quality and safety standards. The position is authorized to develop and recommend solutions within approved project scope, coordinate with vendors, support procurement decisions, and recommend design changes. It supports capital and development initiatives typically ranging from $2–3 million annually and contributes to cost control, per-unit cost reduction, and efficient use of engineering and prototype resources. The role requires a builder’s mindset, sound judgment with incomplete information, adaptability to field realities, ownership, and clear technical communication. Performance is evaluated on progression from prototype to deployment, system quality and reliability, cost performance, collaboration, testing and documentation, adaptability, and attention to detail.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
At least 4 years of relevant experience in mechanical design, product development, industrial design, or applied engineering.
Demonstrated hands-on ability to build, modify, troubleshoot, and improve physical systems.
Experience working with prototypes, field equipment, or high-reliability systems.
Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them in practical, fast-moving environments.
Proficiency in CAD, preferably AutoCAD, for design development and technical documentation.
Experience planning and executing test programs, including instrumentation, data collection, and performance evaluation.
Ability to work across mechanical, electrical, and operational disciplines to deliver functional systems.
Ability to pass a DOT Physical.
Ability to pass a Work Capacity Test up to the moderate level if needed for field evaluations or QA/QC of innovations.
Ability to lift up to 75+ lbs., bend, climb, and stand for the duration of a shift.
Ability to perform work in an R&D shop environment with machinery, personnel, distractions, flashing lights, and loud noises.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pumps, fluid systems, suppression systems, or small-engine equipment.
Familiarity with low-voltage wiring, controls, sensors, and integrated electromechanical systems.
Experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, PLCs, or similar control or automation systems.
Background in emergency response, fire service, industrial operations, or other mission-critical environments.
FE/EIT certification; PE is not required.

Responsibilities

Lead design-build projects from concept through prototype, validation, and production-ready deployment.
Develop wildfire mitigation technologies, including pumps, barriers, sprinklers, suppression systems, thermal protection systems, and related deployment equipment.
Integrate mechanical, electrical, and control components into functional prototypes and field-ready systems.
Conduct structured laboratory and field testing, including live-burn or simulated-condition testing where appropriate.
Collect, interpret, and act on performance data, including temperature, heat flux, pressure, flow, durability, and system response.
Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues in real time and drive rapid iteration.
Evaluate materials, components, and fabrication methods for performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
Partner with Innovation & Assembly to convert prototypes into buildable, repeatable, cost-efficient designs.
Work with Field Operations to ensure equipment is practical to deploy, maintain, and operate in real wildfire conditions.
Coordinate with external vendors and suppliers on specifications, sourcing, fabrication, testing, and schedule performance.
Prepare engineering documentation, including design notes, test reports, technical memoranda, and recommendations.
Support WTS consulting and applied engineering work as needed, including design development, drafting, and implementation support.
Design, build, modify, test, and deploy mechanical and electromechanical systems in laboratory and field environments.
Support procurement decisions, recommend materials and components, and propose design changes within approved project scope.
Contribute to cost control, per-unit cost reduction, budget adherence, and efficient use of engineering and prototype resources.