Mechanical Design Engineer

Optiver; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match up to 50%

Health, dental, vision, disability, &

25 paid vacation days

Extensive office perks: breakfast, etc

Job summary

Optiver in Austin seeks an experienced hardware engineer to design and realize high‑speed, high‑density systems for trading infrastructure. You’ll own mechanical design from concept through prototype, create CAD models and production drawings, and work with external fabrication vendors to scale deployments.

The role emphasizes thermal management, manufacturability, and cross‑functional collaboration with electrical, firmware, and infra teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years designing mechanical systems with CAD tools.
• Experience with electronics cooling and thermal device design.
• Experience taking mechanical designs from concept to production.
• Hands-on fabrication or prototyping (machining, 3D printing).
• DFM and manufacturing processes knowledge.
• Engineering analysis experience (structural, thermal, CFD).
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States; no sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical systems for HPC platforms and custom infra.
• Create CAD models and production drawings for assemblies and enclosures.
• Perform thermal, structural, and system-level analyses.
• Prototype, test, and iterate hardware designs.
• Translate concepts into manufacturable designs balancing performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with contract manufacturers and vendors.
• Develop tooling and test setups to improve workflows.
• Support prototype builds and debugging during bring-up.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware and infra teams to integrate systems.
• Develop and maintain drawings, procedures, and specs.
• Provide feedback to improve manufacturability and robustness.

Skills

Mechanical design

Thermal management

Prototyping

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Machining

3D printing

Fixture design

CFD / Thermal analysis

Job description

At Optiver we pride ourselves on being real engineers, not just coders. Our engineers work closely with traders to identify the business problems we face and determine how they should be solved. We apply a disciplined and scientific approach. We engineer simple, well-architected solutions that meet the dynamic needs of our traders. Our passion is to solve problems which really matter to the business, and we take pride in the quality of our solutions.

Austin is home to Optiver's hardware research, development and manufacturing department. We build some of the world’s most competitive trading hardware using a wide variety of technologies, from fiber optics to custom silicon, from software to antennas - and everything in between.

We’re growing fast and are looking to expand our team with an experienced hardware engineer who deeply understands the complexities of designing and realizing high speed, high density systems and boards. Our systems push the limits of what’s possible, so we’re looking for creative thinkers who can oversee the big picture and who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and explore novel approaches.

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop mechanical systems for high-performance computing platforms and custom trading infrastructure
• Create detailed CAD models and production drawings for complex assemblies, enclosures, fixtures, and mechanical subsystems
• Perform engineering analysis including thermal modeling, structural analysis, and system-level design trade studies
• Prototype, test, and iterate hardware designs through hands-on validation and integration work
• Translate engineering concepts into manufacturable designs while balancing performance, reliability, and serviceability
• Work closely with contract manufacturers and external vendors to support fabrication, assembly, and production builds
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and test setups to improve hardware assembly, testing, and validation workflows
• Support prototype builds and troubleshooting during hardware bring-up and deployment
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical engineers, firmware engineers, and infrastructure teams to integrate mechanical systems into complete hardware platforms
• Develop and maintain documentation including drawings, assembly procedures, test methods, and design specifications
• Provide design feedback to improve manufacturability, scalability, and operational robustness of deployed systems

What You’ll Get

• Direct hands-on involvement in building unique, high-performance hardware systems which deliver meaningful impact to our business
• A collaborative team environment where your contributions are visible and valued
• Diverse, non-repetitive work – nearly every system is bespoke
• Work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
• Highly competitive compensation package including performance-based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field
• 3+ years of industry experience designing mechanical systems using CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar
• Experience with electronics cooling and thermal device design
• Experience taking mechanical designs from concept through prototype and production
• Hands-on fabrication or prototyping experience including machining, 3D printing, or fixture design
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Experience performing engineering analysis such as structural, thermal, or CFD simulation
• Ability to diagnose mechanical issues during prototype builds and develop practical solutions
• Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to produce clear engineering drawings and technical documentation
• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment authorization for this role

Nice to have

• Experience designing hardware for high-performance computing, networking systems, or electronics enclosures.
• Experience working for or with contract manufacturers or external fabrication vendors.
• Experience working with fiber optics, high-density electronic assemblies, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience building complex systems such as servers, robotics platforms, drones, or optical systems.
• Personal experience building or modifying computers

Who We Are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our Austin office serves as the firm’s innovation nucleus, with a strong focus on quantitative research, software development and hardware engineering. The team here plays a central role in advancing our heavy investment in machine learning, research infrastructure and big data computing. Located in The Domain neighborhood, the office is surrounded by world-class music, great food and easy access to outdoor spaces, providing a vibrant setting for the team.

We value in-person collaboration across disciplines, and this role is based on-site in our Austin office.

Applicants may submit up to three applications per calendar year across all open roles.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.