Lead Mechanical Engineer

SleepRes, Inc.; San Francisco, Fremont (CA, CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SleepRes, Inc. seeks a Lead Mechanical / Pneumatic Engineer to direct the mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, and acoustic development of next-generation PAP therapy systems.

You will own the device architecture from concept to commercialization and work with systems, electrical, firmware, V&V, quality, and contract manufacturers. This hands-on leadership role requires mentoring engineers, driving DFMEA, and ensuring DFM/DFA across EVT, DVT, PVT, and production stages.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering; MS preferred.
• 8+ years of mechanical product development experience; Principal level 10–12+ years with platform leadership.
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics, pressure/flow systems, thermal engineering, tolerances, injection-molded plastics, seals, and DFM/DFA.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and pneumatic architecture, design, development, and verification for SleepRes PAP products.
• Own blower integration, airpath, pressure/flow paths, humidifier and water chamber, enclosure, seals, interfaces, thermal management, and acoustics.

Skills

Mechanical design

Pneumatic systems

Thermal engineering

Acoustics

CFD/FEA

Prototyping

DFMEA/Design for manufacture

Vendor collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

About SleepRes

SleepRes is developing next-generation sleep apnea therapy technologies that improve patient outcomes. We are a small, fast-moving R&D team focused on building high-quality medical devices that make a real-world impact.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Lead Mechanical / Pneumatic Engineer to lead the mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, and acoustic development of current and next-generation positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy systems.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role where you will own the device mechanical and air-delivery architecture, including blower integration, airpath, enclosure, humidification, breathing-circuit interfaces, thermal performance, and acoustics from concept through commercialization.

You will work closely with systems, electrical, firmware, V&V, NPI, quality, regulatory, overseas suppliers, and contract manufacturers to translate product requirements into reliable, manufacturable designs.

Level

This role may be filled at the Staff or Principal level based on experience, technical scope, and demonstrated leadership.

• Staff: Typically 8+ years of relevant product-development experience. Serves as the primary technical owner for the mechanical/pneumatic discipline, leads architecture and cross-functional technical decisions, mentors engineers, and remains deeply hands-on in design, testing, and commercialization.
• Principal: Typically 10-12+ years of relevant experience with demonstrated platform-level technical leadership. Acts as a company-level authority for mechanical/pneumatic architecture, establishes engineering standards, resolves the most complex multidisciplinary problems, mentors senior engineers, and influences multiple product generations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead mechanical and pneumatic architecture, design, development, and verification for SleepRes PAP products
• Own blower integration, airpath, pressure/flow paths, humidifier and water chamber, enclosure, seals, breathing‑circuit interfaces, thermal management, and acoustic/vibration performance
• Translate system requirements into mechanical and pneumatic specifications, interfaces, and design solutions
• Perform and review first‑principles analysis including airflow, pressure drop, thermal performance, tolerance stack‑up, structural performance, and acoustics
• Drive rapid prototyping and product development through EVT, DVT, design freeze, formal V&V, PVT, and commercial production
• Lead mechanical design reviews and work with NPI, suppliers, and contract manufacturers on DFM/DFA, tooling, fixtures, assembly processes, and design transfer
• Support verification, reliability testing, and root‑cause investigations for mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, acoustic, and manufacturing issues
• Partner with Operations and Strategic Sourcing on supplier selection, alternate‑source qualification, value engineering, and cost reduction
• Support design controls and risk management, including requirements, specifications, DFMEA, verification documentation, engineering reports, and design changes
• Mentor engineers and help elevate the team's mechanical engineering capability

What We’re Looking For

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline (MS preferred)
• 8+ years of relevant mechanical product‑development experience; Principal‑level candidates will typically bring 10-12+ years and demonstrated platform‑level technical leadership
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics, pressure/flow systems, thermal engineering, mechanical design, tolerance analysis, injection‑molded plastics, seals, and DFM/DFA
• Strong CAD capability using SolidWorks, Creo, or a similar professional mechanical‑design platform
• Demonstrated experience taking complex electromechanical products from concept through commercial production
• Hands‑on experience with prototyping, engineering characterization, laboratory testing, and multidisciplinary root‑cause investigation
• Experience working directly with contract manufacturers and component suppliers
• Strong systems thinking, communication, and ability to lead technical decisions in a fast‑paced cross‑functional environment

Nice to Have

• Experience developing CPAP, ventilator, respiratory, anesthesia, oxygen‑delivery, or other pneumatic medical devices
• Medical‑device development experience under ISO 13485 and FDA design controls/QMSR
• Familiarity with applicable IEC 60601, ISO 80601, and ISO 18562 requirements
• Experience with acoustic engineering, vibration analysis, CFD, FEA, or accelerated reliability testing
• Experience with high‑volume Asian manufacturing partners and suppliers
• Experience leading mechanical engineers or serving as the mechanical technical lead for a multidisciplinary product program