Manufacturing Engineer

Helicon; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Helicon is seeking an experienced mechanical design engineer to own production processes from build readiness through steady-state manufacturing. You will lead mechanical design for robotic cells, specify tooling, and collaborate with software engineers to align manufacturing constraints with our OS for supply chain and simulation.

Requirements include a strong grasp of first principles physics and a proven ability to translate engineering fundamentals into scalable, manufacturable solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of first principles physics.
• Proven track record of exceptional ability driven by engineering fundamentals.
• Nice to have: experience designing and commissioning tooling for industrial robotic applications.
• Strong skills in integrating sensors and mechanical components.
• Experience with high-volume composites processes and hydraulic presses.

Responsibilities

• Own production processes from build readiness through steady-state manufacturing.
• Work with customers and complete DFM to make parts manufacturable at scale.
• Own equipment installation, procurement and testing.
• Lead the mechanical design for robotic cells (effector design, fixturing and layout).
• Collaborate with software engineers to teach manufacturing constraints to Argos (our OS for supply chain, quoting, pricing, simulation).

Skills

First principles physics

Engineering fundamentals

Robotics tooling experience

Sensor integration

Customer collaboration

Job description

Helicon's mission is to accelerate the world's transition to advanced materials. We combine AI software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing to reinvent how the West maintains a competitive edge.

We hire people with high agency and high urgency. We look for slope over intercept. We care about what you’ve built. At Helicon, everyone owns problems end to end and makes consequential decisions that shape the outcome. Every day we build what most think is impossible.

We're backed by the investors who were first believers in Applied Intuition, Valar Atomics, Factory, Astranis, Flock Safety and Relativity Space.

What You'll Do

• Own production processes from build readiness through steady-state manufacturing
• Work with customers and complete DFM to make parts manufacturable at scale
• Own equipment installation, procurement and testing
• Lead the mechanical design for robotic cells (effector design, fixturing and layout)
• Collaborate with world‑class software engineers to teach real manufacturing constraints to Argos (our OS for supply chain, quoting, pricing, simulation)

Who We're Looking For

Need:

• Strong understanding of first principles physics.
• Proven track record of exceptional ability driven by engineering fundamentals

Nice to have:

• Experience designing and commissioning tooling for industrial robotic applications
• Strong skills in integrating sensors and mechanical components
• Experience with high volume composites processes and hydraulic presses

We're not for you if:

• You think composites will never be used at industrial scale
• You're not looking for a role where you work with customers

Why Join

Bethlehem for steel. Helicon for composites.

For too long the most advanced materials in the world have been left to the exquisite, we're industrializing composites enabling the systems of the future to be built at mass scale.

We want the best people and have no bureaucracy. That includes covering meals and paying for products that make you more productive and our partners stronger.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.