Senior Mechanical Engineer

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

6h • $135,000 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Saildrone is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Mechanical Design team. Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager, you will play a critical role in owning the mechanical design and end-to-end development of complex components, mechanisms, and assemblies for our autonomous surface vehicles. We are looking for a hands-on technical expert who thrives in a fast-paced R&D and manufacturing environment, driving projects from early concept through full production.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering discipline (or equivalent practical field experience).
• 10+ years of hands-on professional experience driving mechanical component and system design in Marine, Aerospace, Automotive, or related industries.
• Demonstrated expertise designing for diverse manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, composite layups, sheet metal, castings, 3D printing, welding, and structural bonding.
• Advanced experience with CAD software packages (Siemens NX strongly preferred) and strong fundamentals of mechanical design concepts.
• Demonstrated understanding of mechanics, electrical circuits, fluid systems, and thermodynamics.
• Practical machine shop skills, including hands-on experience with manual machining, drilling, bonding, and welding equipment.
• Proven track record of navigating fast-paced R&D and manufacturing settings, with experience working directly with fabrication shops and contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, development, and delivery of complex electro-mechanical parts, assemblies, and associated tooling from initial concept through production.
• Define and communicate system-level requirements across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering disciplines while creating detailed system diagrams and models.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs), and produce detailed technical drawings.
• Perform and review engineering hand calculations, fluid/thermal analyses, and test data to de-risk designs and validate vehicle performance.
• Fabricate proof-of-concept prototypes and tooling utilizing basic shop skills including manual machining, drilling, bonding, and welding.
• Partner with Electrical Engineering to review wiring harness designs and coordinate with Project Managers to maintain development schedules.
• Uphold drafting standards and promote technical excellence across the mechanical engineering team.

Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave
• Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents
• Equity grants
• 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options
• Annual professional development reimbursement program
• Relocation assistance for eligible roles

What This Job Offers

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