Lead Mechanical Engineer

Exploration Technology Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Healthcare

Flexible PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Exploration Technology Group in San Francisco is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to take real flight hardware from concept to delivery, focusing on mechanical design while integrating with electrical systems and software.

You will work across disciplines to design space hardware for DoD and NASA programs, using SolidWorks and GD&T, with 3+ years of experience. Join a fast-paced startup that values curiosity and hands-on problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant engineering field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and GD&T Standards (ASME Y14.5).
• Experience with prototyping and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed mechanical designs using SolidWorks and GD&T.
• Perform tolerance stackup analyses and design optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for hardware development.
• Support manufacturing and assembly processes in SF and at customer sites.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Exploration Technology Group San Francisco, California, United States

About this position

etc, the Exploration Technology Corp, is a team of techno-optimists and outdoors adventurers. We are motivated by the challenge of solving tough engineering problems, committed to creating sustainable change, and driven by a curiosity to explore and understand both our natural world and the universe.

For decades, the tools and technologies developed for spaceflight, defense, and exploration have not only helped us expand our understanding of the universe but have also supported human advancement here on Earth. We carry this legacy forward, knowing that innovation in these areas can lead to solutions that help people everywhere.

At etc, we are actively developing cutting-edge exploration and defense missions. If you join the team, you will have the opportunity to work on hardware and software for US Department of Defense missions, NASA programs, and much more.

About the role

We're hiring a hands-on mechanical engineer to join our team building space hardware systems, working across multiple disciplines. In this role, you'll take real flight hardware from concept to delivery, focusing on mechanical design while integrating with electrical systems and software. While you should be experienced with mechanical design, this isn’t a narrow specialist role; we are seeking a generalist who sees the big picture, moves fast, and thrives on solving a new problem every day.

What you'll do

• Mechanical Design & Analysis: Create detailed mechanical designs using SolidWorks, apply GD&T standards per ASME Y14.5, and conduct tolerance stackup analysis
• Lifecycle Systems Engineering: Design new parts and systems from first principles to meet goals. Support performance specification definition, verification planning, and technical documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Project Support: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage vendor relationships, and provide technical and hands‑on support for manufacturing and assembly processes in San Francisco and at customer facilities.
• Cross-Domain Engineering (Land/Air/Sea/Space): Conceive, design, develop, build, test, and deploy engineered systems for extreme environments with an emphasis on space.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, preferably in aerospace, ocean, robotics, or similar.
• Technical skills:
• • Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks Preferred)
  • Knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and tolerance analysis
  • Knowledge of best design practices for mechanical parts
  • Experience with common prototyping and manufacturing processes and their limitations
• Preferences:
• • Expeditionary mindset: you have the curiosity and drive to ask big questions about the natural world and deploy systems to extreme environments to answer those questions
  • Experience with space systems, satellites, or aerospace hardware development
  • Experience performing FEA
  • Experience with environmental testing and standards (e.g. NASA GEVS)
  • Hands‑on experience with laboratory equipment in a clean room environment
  • Previous start‑up work experience

What We Offer

• Equity participation, healthcare, flexible PTO, and professional development opportunities.

About etc.

etc, the Exploration Technology Corp, is a team of techno-optimists and outdoors adventurers. We are motivated by the challenge of solving tough engineering problems, committed to creating sustainable change, and driven by a curiosity to explore and understand both our natural world and the universe.

For decades, the tools and technologies developed for spaceflight, defense, and exploration have not only helped us expand our understanding of the universe but have also supported human advancement here on Earth. We carry this legacy forward, knowing that innovation in these areas can lead to solutions that help people everywhere.

At etc, we are actively developing cutting-edge exploration and defense missions. If you join the team, you will have the opportunity to work on hardware and software for US Department of Defense missions, NASA programs, and much more.

About the role

We're hiring a hands-on mechanical engineer to join our team building space hardware systems, working across multiple disciplines. In this role, you'll take real flight hardware from concept to delivery, focusing on mechanical design while integrating with electrical systems and software. While you should be experienced with mechanical design, this isn’t a narrow specialist role; we are seeking a generalist who sees the big picture, moves fast, and thrives on solving a new problem every day.

What you'll do

• Mechanical Design & Analysis: Create detailed mechanical designs using SolidWorks, apply GD&T standards per ASME Y14.5, and conduct tolerance stackup analysis
• Lifecycle Systems Engineering: Design new parts and systems from first principles to meet goals. Support performance specification definition, verification planning, and technical documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Project Support: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, manage vendor relationships, and provide technical and hands‑on support for manufacturing and assembly processes in San Francisco and at customer facilities.
• Cross-Domain Engineering (Land/Air/Sea/Space): Conceive, design, develop, build, test, and deploy engineered systems for extreme environments with an emphasis on space.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, preferably in aerospace, ocean, robotics, or similar.
• Technical skills:
• • Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks Preferred)
  • Knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and tolerance analysis
  • Knowledge of best design practices for mechanical parts
  • Experience with common prototyping and manufacturing processes and their limitations
• Preferences:
• • Expeditionary mindset: you have the curiosity and drive to ask big questions about the natural world and deploy systems to extreme environments to answer those questions
  • Experience with space systems, satellites, or aerospace hardware development
  • Experience performing FEA
  • Experience with environmental testing and standards (e.g. NASA GEVS)
  • Hands‑on experience with laboratory equipment in a clean room environment
  • Previous start‑up work experience

What We Offer

• Equity participation, healthcare, flexible PTO, and professional development opportunities.

The pay range for this role is:
130,000 - 180,000 USD per year(SF HQ)