Chief Engineer / Senior Mechanical Engineer

Confidential; United States; Remote; USD 165,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Zekai is seeking a Chief Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer for a 100% remote AI training project. You will lead multidisciplinary teams to design realistic mechanical tasks, coordinate domain experts, and set clear technical objectives and evaluation criteria.

Ideal candidates have substantial leadership experience in mechanical design and analysis, CAD/FEA skills, and a track record of delivering complex engineering programs across industries. Remote work globally welcome.

Qualifications

• Substantial professional experience as a Chief Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer.
• Proven experience leading complex multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong expertise in mechanical design, analysis, and verification through testing.
• English proficiency at B2 level or higher.

Responsibilities

• Design realistic engineering projects involving mechanical design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing, with contributions from other relevant disciplines.
• Translate project objectives into clear design requirements, operating constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Break complex engineering problems into connected tasks with defined inputs, deliverables, dependencies, and expert responsibilities.

Skills

Mechanical design

Engineering analysis

Project leadership

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

FEA

Simulation tools

Job description

Role Title: Chief Engineer / Senior Mechanical Engineer

Role Type: Contractor

Location: Remote - US-based preferred; candidates with strong relevant experience worldwide considered.

our partner is looking for experienced Chief Engineers or Senior Mechanical Engineers to support an AI training project focused on complex, real-world engineering workflows. In this role, you will draw on your experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects to design realistic tasks, coordinate contributions from domain experts, and define clear technical objectives and evaluation criteria. Your expertise will help improve how AI systems approach mechanical design, engineering analysis, and technical project execution.

Scope of Work

• Design realistic engineering projects involving mechanical design, engineering analysis, manufacturing, and testing, with contributions from other relevant disciplines.
• Translate project objectives into clear design requirements, operating constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Break complex engineering problems into connected tasks with defined inputs, deliverables, dependencies, and expert responsibilities.

Requirements

• Substantial professional experience as a Chief Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer, or in a comparable technical leadership role.
• Proven experience leading complex engineering projects involving multiple technical disciplines.
• Strong expertise in mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacture and assembly, and technical verification through testing and root-cause analysis.
• English proficiency at B2 level or higher.

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
• Experience with CAD, finite element analysis, or other relevant engineering simulation tools.
• Experience leading projects from initial concept through detailed design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, industrial equipment, energy, medical devices, or other complex engineering environments.

This is a 100% remote contract role, open to applicants worldwide in the countries the employer accepts.