Mechanical Engineer

Terranova, Inc.; Berkeley, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional benefits

Job summary

Terranova, Inc. is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical design of large-scale robotic systems.

You will oversee end-to-end mechanical, electrical, and controls interfaces, working hands-on in the factory and field with technicians and operators, and driving hardware from concept to field-ready performance. You will apply first-principles engineering, CAD (OnShape), and fabrication skills, thriving in a fast-paced startup culture with long days and field hours required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• U.S. permanent residency required.
• Experience in mechanical/electromechanical hardware design and analysis is essential.
• OnShape CAD proficiency is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns mechanical and electromechanical aspects of Terranova's field-deployed robotic systems.
• Performs first-principles engineering, FEA, and hand calculations to optimize designs.
• Leads prototype builds, tests campaigns, and pushes hardware to field reliability limits.
• Collaborates with electrical, controls, and field deployment teams for integrated systems.
• Drives failure analysis, testing, and iterative improvements from real-world data.

Skills

Mechanical/electromechanical hardware

Hands-on fabrication & prototyping

Deep mechanical intuition

C++ / Python familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field

U.S. permanent residency

Tools

OnShape CAD

Test & measurement equipment handling

Job description

Company Description

Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself - lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods and sea-level rise.

Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond.

We’re assembling a world-class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization-scale. If you want your work to reshape the world (literally), this is the place to do it.

What to to Expect

As a Mechanical Engineer at Terranova, you will own the mechanical design of large-scale robotic systems while maintaining a systems-level overview across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines. You will own problems end-to-end, move fast, and build machines that survive the real world. Expect to be hands‑on, spend long hours in the factory and in the field working alongside technicians and operators.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as an extreme owner for mechanical and electromechanical aspects of Terranova's field deployed robotic systems
• Perform first-principles engineering, FEA, hand calculations to optimize designs for real-world operation environments
• Lead prototype builds, execute test campaigns, and push hardware to its limits to ensure field reliability
• Collaborate closely with electrical, controls, and field deployment teams to deliver integrated, battle-tested systems
• Drive failure analysis, testing, and iterative improvement based on real-world data

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in mechanical or electromechanical hardware design and analysis (plus for experience in robotics)
• Strong CAD proficiency (OnShape)
• Hands‑on fabrication and prototyping skills - you enjoy working hands on
• Deep mechanical intuition and ability to design from first principles
• Comfortable with the pace and intensity of early‑stage startup life, including long days, 6‑day workweeks, and extended field hours
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• U.S. permanent residency required

Nice to Have Skills

• Experience in high voltage AC power (480V, 120+ kW) conversion systems and lithium batteries
• Experience with pumps and fluidics
• Experience with bulk material handling (conveyance)
• Experience in electromechanical controls, hydraulics, or field-deployed systems
• Familiarity with C++, Python, or similar for controls or simulation
• PCB and embedded systems design skills are a huge bonus

Ideal Archetype

• Have worked on development of heavy machinery, complex multi-part systems
• Maker background - love building stuff, work is fun to you
• Coming from a startup environment - high ownership, fast paced environment

Compensation

• $90-140k based on experience
• Additional benefits