Mechanical Design Engineer

Mojave Energy Systems; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity award

Job summary

Mojave Energy Systems is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to take a significant role in designing and engineering our liquid desiccant HVAC system. Reporting to the Mechanical Design Engineering Manager, you will develop components and assemblies, create production-ready CAD drawings in Onshape, and work across teams in Sunnyvale, CA.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, 0–2 years of design experience, hands-on build capability, and a passion for problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 0-2 years of experience in mechanical design.
• Experience with 3D CAD (SolidWorks or Onshape preferred).
• Strong problem-solving skills with curiosity about root causes.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and technical documents.
• Hands-on build experience from school, personal, or team projects.
• Eagerness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop components and assemblies for HVAC subsystems from concept through manufacturing with guidance from senior engineers.
• Create production-quality solid models and engineering drawings in a collaborative CAD environment (Onshape).
• Help select materials and components; support calculations and analysis behind those choices.
• Maintain engineering documentation (P&IDs, drawings, BOMs).
• Collaborate with production to resolve build issues and bring feedback to the Mechanical Design team.
• Work with vendors to quote, build and evaluate prototype/production parts; support DFM reviews and inspection.
• Build and run subsystem tests; collect data and report results on performance and cycle life.
• Hands-on fabrication, assembly, machining, testing, debugging, and parts chasing.

Skills

3D CAD

Problem solving

Communication

Hands-on testing/build

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Onshape

Job description

About Mojave Energy Systems, Inc.

Mojave is changing the nature of air conditioning. Air conditioning consumes ~9% of total global electricity production and results in the emissions of 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. It is time for a change, and Mojave's liquid desiccant air conditioning systems are doing just that. If you want to change the world, starting with the world of air conditioning, then you may belong at Mojave. We are looking for purpose-driven team members who enjoy problem solving, teamwork, and personal growth to join our venture-backed company.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Mojave Energy Systems is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to take a significant role in designing and engineering our liquid desiccant air conditioner. Reporting to the Mechanical Design Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for mechanical design and testing of sub-systems and components for a novel HVAC product. The successful candidate is eager to learn, comfortable working through design challenges on a deadline, and able to collaborate across teams while taking ownership of their own work. This is a rare chance to grow your engineering career while helping launch cutting-edge technology at a venture-backed climate-tech company at a critical inflection point. We've proven the technology works and we're ramping production. You'll get hands-on experience balancing innovation with practical manufacturability and field robustness.

This is an on-site role in Sunnyvale, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop components and assemblies for HVAC subsystems such as fans, heat exchangers, enclosures and chassis, from concept through manufacturing, with guidance from senior engineers.
• Create production-quality solid models and engineering drawings, including sheet metal and plastic components, in a collaborative CAD environment (Onshape).
• Help select materials and components that hold up against corrosive fluids, temperature cycling and lifting loads, and support the calculations and analysis behind those choices.
• Maintain engineering documentation, including P&IDs, drawings and assembly BOMs, keeping them current as designs change.
• Work with the production floor to resolve build issues and bring feedback back to the Mechanical Design team.
• Work with vendors to quote, build and evaluate prototype and production parts, and support DFM reviews and first-article inspection.
• Build and run subsystem tests to validate designs, including test setup, data collection and reporting results on performance and cycle life.
• Get hands-on with fabrication, assembly, machining, testing, debugging and parts chasing.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, or relevant field (recent graduates welcome).
• 0-2 years of experience in mechanical design. Internships, co-ops, and project teams (e.g., Formula SAE, robotics, senior design) count.
• Experience with 3D CAD (SolidWorks or Onshape preferred).
• Strong problem-solving skills, with curiosity about root causes and how things work.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and comfort working with senior engineers, technicians, and vendors.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and technical documents.
• Hands-on build experience from school, personal, or team projects.
• Eagerness to learn, take feedback, and grow in a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with common manufacturing processes such as 3D printing, machining, sheet metal, and injection molding.
• Internship or project experience with HVAC, dehumidification, heat pump or refrigeration systems.
• Basic GD&T knowledge.
• Exposure to thermal/fluid simulation (CFD, FEA or 1D system modeling).

Mojave is a mission-driven company focused on advancing air conditioning technology. We manufacture our products in the United States at our Anderson, South Carolina facility and our engineering lab is based in Sunnyvale, California. We are committed to a workplace grounded in integrity, excellence, collaboration, and meaningful work. The anticipated compensation range for this position is $90,000 - $116,000 with an equity award (4-year vest) on hire. Equity represents a significant component of total compensation. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and work location, consistent with applicable law. We offer a benefits package that may include annual bonus eligibility (equity award) 401(k) with company match, health and welfare benefits, paid time off, company holidays, short/long-term disability and life insurance (subject to plan terms, eligibility requirements and applicable law).

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work in an independent environment with moderate supervision
• Ability to work under a moderate noise level (i.e. working on an open floor office with printers, telephones, computers, etc.)
• Ability to be flexible and successfully respond to multiple work pressures
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate computer keyboard, mouse and other computer components

$90,000 - $116,000 a year