Junior Mechanical Engineer

Valinor Enterprises; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

Development stipends

Unlimited PTO

Two-week company holiday

Job summary

Valinor Enterprises in Washington, DC, is seeking a Junior Mechanical Engineer to join the Reflex team. You will build, assemble, and prototype smart glasses, solving mechanical design and manufacturing challenges alongside our engineering group.

Ideal candidates have 0–2 years of hands-on experience, familiarity with SolidWorks, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping. The role offers growth into broader mechanical design responsibilities in a defense-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• 0–2 years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience or related field.
• Experience with CAD software and basic mechanical design.
• Familiarity with 3D printing, materials selection, and rapid prototyping.
• Hands-on experience assembling, building, or manufacturing physical products.

Responsibilities

• Build, assemble, and prototype smart glasses and supporting mechanical components.
• Assemble and integrate electronic components and wiring into wearable hardware prototypes.
• Use 3D printing and rapid prototyping to iterate designs.
• Support CAD modeling and development of enclosures and components.
• Collaborate with engineers to test and refine hardware designs.

Skills

Mechanical engineering basics

Prototype development

Troubleshooting

Hands-on hardware work

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most: in the hands of users.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Friends & Family Capital, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

About The Role

We are looking for a Junior Mechanical Engineer to join our Reflex team in Washington, DC. You'll take a hands-on role in building, assembling, and prototyping our smart glasses, working closely with our engineering team to solve mechanical design and manufacturing challenges. This is a great opportunity for an early-career engineer who enjoys building physical products and wants to grow into broader mechanical design responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Build, assemble, and prototype smart glasses and supporting mechanical components.

• Assemble and integrate electronic components, circuit boards, and wiring into compact housings and wearable hardware prototypes.

• Use 3D printing and rapid prototyping techniques to develop and iterate on designs.

• Research and select materials, troubleshoot thermal challenges, and improve product performance.

• Support mechanical design efforts, including CAD modeling and the development of enclosures and other components.

• Work closely with engineers to test, refine, and improve hardware designs.

What We're Looking For

• 0–2 years of experience in mechanical engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, or a related hands-on technical field.

• Experience with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks, and basic mechanical design.

• Familiarity with 3D printing, materials selection, and rapid prototyping.

• Hands-on experience assembling, building, or manufacturing physical products.

• Hands-on experience building electromechanical systems, including personal projects or participation in collegiate robotics or racing teams, is a plus.

• Strong technical curiosity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get things done.

What Valinor Offers

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401(k), development stipends, among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred, but not required.

Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you!