Mechanical Engineer

Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Healthcare and dental insurance

Competitive PTO

Job summary

Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions in Berkeley is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and build the custom microwave applicator housing and biomass slurry delivery system for industrial throughput.

You will lead design, prototyping, fabrication oversight, and commissioning, working with contract manufacturers and machine shops to deliver a robust reactor system suitable for high-solids biomass slurries.

Qualifications

• MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years experience in industrial equipment, reactor design, or process systems.
• Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or similar).
• Experience with material selection for thermal and chemical environments.
• Familiarity with industrial fabrication methods.
• Hands-on build and troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer a custom microwave applicator vessel based on RF requirements.
• Develop a continuous biomass slurry delivery system capable of 600 kg/hr throughput.
• Design pumping, mixing, and flow control systems for high-solids biomass slurries.
• Select materials compatible with microwave exposure, thermal cycling, and chemical conditions.
• Design pressure-rated and temperature-rated systems as required.
• Develop sealing, containment, and shielding solutions.
• Ensure uniform flow distribution to complement homogeneous microwave heating.
• Create detailed CAD models and fabrication drawings.
• Work with contract manufacturers and machine shops.
• Lead system assembly, installation, and commissioning; implement safety systems and industrial design best practices.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Mechanical design

Prototyping

Troubleshooting

Strong materials selection

Education

MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Oleo is an early-stage biomanufacturing company developing a platform to produce carbon-negative oil feedstocks for advanced fuel production. Our technology combines microwave hydrolysis and microbial fermentation to convert biomass waste into oil feedstocks, addressing a $21B market. Oleo’s platform reduces cost exposure and improves supply chain stability for energy producers, with a targeted ~22% cost reduction compared to incumbent seed oils. This technology was developed by Oleo’s founders at Stanford University and is in the process of being scaled to the 300L setting at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Oleo is supported by Activate, DOE Leep @ Cyclotron Road, and BEAM Circular, and has received investment from Gener8tor, Safar Partners, Alpine Social Ventures, Collab Fund, and G-Force.

Role Description

As the Mechanical Engineer, you will design and build the custom microwave applicator housing and biomass slurry delivery system required to operate at industrial throughput. You will translate RF design requirements into a manufacturable, robust reactor system capable of handling abrasive, high-solids biomass slurries at scale.

This is a hands-on role spanning design, prototyping, fabrication oversight, and commissioning.

Primary Responsibilities of this Role Include

• Design and engineer a custom microwave applicator vessel based on RF requirements
• Develop a continuous biomass slurry delivery system capable of 600 kg/hr throughput
• Design pumping, mixing, and flow control systems for high-solids biomass slurries
• Select materials compatible with microwave exposure, thermal cycling, and chemical conditions
• Design pressure-rated and temperature-rated systems as required
• Develop sealing, containment, and shielding solutions
• Ensure uniform flow distribution to complement homogeneous microwave heating, potentially including mechanical agitator design
• Create detailed CAD models and fabrication drawings
• Work with contract manufacturers and machine shops
• Lead system assembly, installation, and commissioningImplement safety systems and industrial design best practices

As the Ideal Candidate, You Would Bring

• MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 5+ years experience in industrial equipment, reactor design, or process systems
• Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks or similar)
• Experience with material selection for thermal and chemical environments
• Familiarity with industrial fabrication methods
• Hands-on build and troubleshooting experience

What We Offer

• Annual salary of $110,000 with potential for expanded responsibilities and corresponding compensation growth as the company advances through the seed stage.
• Company equity.
• Healthcare and dental insurance.
• Competitive PTO.

Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to sponsor visas.

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce.