Senior Mechanical Engineer

Valar Atomics • Hawthorne, CA

67d

About The Position

We’re seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team to accelerate the frontier of advanced power generation. In this role, you’ll be responsible for designing, developing, and validating mechanical systems and components that meet performance, manufacturability, and cost requirements. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative products from concept to production.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 8–10 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering production-ready hardware.
• Expertise in CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and mechanical drafting standards.
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and mechanical systems.
• Experience performing or overseeing FEA/CFD analyses.
• Excellent communication, technical documentation, and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-performance or safety-critical systems (aerospace, energy, or defense).
• Deep understanding of DFM/DFA and reliability engineering.
• Familiarity with PLM/PDM tools and design control processes.
• Hands-on prototyping, testing, and validation experience.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to lead root cause investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts for major subsystems, ensuring alignment between performance targets, manufacturability, and cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and review mechanical designs to ensure consistency with company standards and engineering rigor.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings (SolidWorks, Creo, or NX), applying advanced GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analyses (FEA/CFD) to validate system performance and reliability.
• Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing; interpret results to refine designs and improve system performance.
• Partner with electrical, manufacturing, and systems engineers to drive integration and design optimization.
• Work closely with vendors to manage DFM feedback, manufacturing process selection, and quality control.
• Contribute to internal best practices for mechanical design, documentation, and configuration management.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• A collaborative, high-performance engineering culture.
• Access to cutting-edge design tools and prototyping facilities.
• The chance to make a tangible impact on next-generation energy systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree