Mechanical Engineering Lead

Molg•Sterling, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Molg is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Lead to join a cross-functional team of software, electrical, robotics, and operations engineers. The role involves designing, developing, and validating the articulating end of arm tooling (EOAT) that powers Molg's robotic microfactory. This is hands-on, mechanism-forward work focusing on multi-DOF grippers, compliant linkages, actuated fingers, force-controlled contact systems, and adaptable tooling. The Mechanical Engineering Lead will own the full design cycle from concept through production validation and lead a small team of mechanical engineers. Molg combines advanced robotics and intelligent software to transform how electronics are manufactured and recovered. Working with partners like HP, leading hyperscalers, and industrial companies such as ABB and Stanley Black & Decker, Molg’s solutions recover valuable materials from existing devices while helping create the next generation of products optimized for circularity. This dual focus on recovery and design innovation drives Molg’s mission to keep materials in use and reduce waste.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Master's a plus).
5–8 years of experience in mechanical design, with at least 2 years in a technical lead or team lead capacity.
Hands-on experience designing articulating mechanisms — grippers, compliant linkages, actuated systems, or similar.
Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, Fusion, or equivalent) and engineering analysis methods.
Experience with DFM and mechanical testing and validation processes.
Strong communication skills and experience working in cross-functional product or project teams.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with automation systems, robotics integration, or microfactory environments is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of end of arm tooling — grippers, fixtures, and compliance mechanisms — for automated electronics disassembly.
Define tooling requirements in collaboration with robotics, automation, and operations teams.
Perform mechanical analysis (stress, tolerance, kinematic) to validate designs before fabrication.
Oversee prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement of EOAT systems.
Ensure designs meet reliability, repeatability, and cycle-time targets in production environments.
Apply DFM principles to minimize cost and lead time.
Serve as Technical Lead Manager for a small team of mechanical engineers — assign tasks, set milestones, and track deliverables across the EOAT workstream.
Conduct design reviews, provide technical feedback, and maintain quality standards across the team's output.
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, supporting their technical growth and career development.
Act as the primary technical point of contact for EOAT within the project team.
Partner with robotics, software, and manufacturing teams to integrate EOAT into the broader automated disassembly system.
Communicate design status, risks, and dependencies to project leads and stakeholders.
Contribute to project planning with realistic engineering estimates and technical input.
Help resolve integration issues and unblock teams during implementation phases.
Maintain design documentation, BOMs, drawings, and revision history to engineering standards.
Establish best practices for EOAT design, testing protocols, and knowledge sharing within the team.
Support lessons-learned processes to continuously improve tooling reliability and development speed.