Engineering Project Mentor - SF Bay Area

AIRES (AI Research & Entrepreneurship Scholars); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AIRES is seeking an Engineering Project Mentor in the San Francisco Bay Area to guide middle and high school students on original, socially valuable innovation projects—from concept through prototyping, testing, and presentation.

You will teach hands‑on engineering, fabrication, coding, and electronics, promote safe maker-space practices, and guide students in using AI responsibly. Teaching experience is preferred but not required; mentoring skills and patience are valued.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering or related field.
• Experience building and troubleshooting technical projects.
• Ability to explain complex concepts clearly to young people.
• Strong problem‑solving, project‑management, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Mentor students through project selection, planning, prototyping, testing, and presentation.
• Break ambitious ideas into realistic technical milestones.
• Teach hands‑on engineering, fabrication, coding, electronics, or related skills.
• Promote safe and responsible maker space practices.
• Guide students in using AI responsibly, including verifying outputs and documenting AI assistance.
• Provide direct feedback and track student progress.
• Maintain an organized, inclusive, and productive learning environment.

Skills

Explain concepts to youth

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

CAD

3D printing

Electronics

Robotics

Fabrication

Programming

Job description

AIRES (AI Research & Entrepreneurship Scholars) provides year-round, hands‑on mentorship in AI, engineering, and entrepreneurship for middle and high school students. The experience includes flagship residential summer programs held at top universities such as Yale and UC Berkeley. Students work individually with experienced mentors to identify meaningful problems and develop socially valuable research and innovation projects from concept through prototyping, testing, and presentation.

Role Description:

AIRES is seeking an Engineering Project Mentor in the San Francisco Bay Area to work individually with middle and high school students on original, socially valuable innovation projects.

You will help students turn ideas into functional prototypes through research, engineering design, experimentation, and iteration. Projects may address accessibility, sustainability, education, health, community development, or other real‑world needs.

The ideal candidate combines practical engineering ability with patience, sound judgment, and a commitment to student ownership. Teaching or tutoring experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities:

• Mentor students through project selection, planning, prototyping, testing, and presentation.
• Break ambitious ideas into realistic technical milestones.
• Teach hands‑on engineering, fabrication, coding, electronics, or related skills.
• Promote safe and responsible maker space practices.
• Guide students in using AI responsibly, including verifying outputs, protecting sensitive information, documenting AI assistance, and avoiding over‑reliance.
• Provide direct feedback and track student progress.
• Maintain an organized, inclusive, and productive learning environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering, computer science, product design, robotics, applied science, or a related field.
• Experience building and troubleshooting technical or physical projects.
• Ability to explain complex concepts clearly to young people.
• Strong problem‑solving, project‑management, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching, tutoring, coaching, or youth‑mentoring experience.
• Experience with makerspaces, CAD, 3D printing, electronics, robotics, fabrication, and/or programming.
• Experience with socially focused innovation or community‑based projects.

What success looks like:

Students create thoughtful projects that address real needs, demonstrate technical progress, and reflect their own reasoning. They use engineering tools, including AI, critically, transparently, and responsibly.

This position offers a competitive salary, based on experience and technical background, plus benefits. AIRES may sponsor work authorization for highly qualified candidates, subject to organizational requirements and applicable immigration rules.