Mechanical Engineer

Rainmaker; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rainmaker is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support mission-critical subsystems for our UAS platform in El Segundo, CA. You will work closely with senior engineers in a hands-on, fast-paced hardware environment, turning concepts into flight-ready hardware.

You will own subsystems from concept to production, build rapid prototypes, design test fixtures, perform FEA analyses under mentorship, and document results for fabrication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and CAD modeling.
• Experience with FEA (linear/static, dynamic or thermal).
• Experience with additive manufacturing for prototyping.
• Sheet metal design and manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of mechanical projects.
• Eagerness to learn in a fast-paced hardware environment.

Responsibilities

• Own smaller parts and subsystems from concept to production.
• Design and build functional prototypes for UAS subsystems.
• Design, build and run test fixtures for prototype components.
• Define loading and run FEA studies under guidance from senior engineers.
• Write technical documentation and help prepare fabrication data for manufacturers.

Skills

SolidWorks

FEA

Rapid prototyping

Additive manufacturing

Sheet metal design

Ownership of projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks)

Job description

Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity and inclement weather problems. We develop and incorporate radar validation, weather-resistant UAS, numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution.

The Engineering team at Rainmaker works on our UAS, dispersion payload, and in-situ/remote sensing systems. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in our operational system, this is a fantastic opportunity.

This role reports to the Lead, Mechanical Engineering and will support mission-critical subsystems for our UAS platform, working closely with senior engineers to grow your skills in a hands-on, fast-paced hardware environment

95000 - 120000 USD a year

What You'll Do

• Project Support & Ownership: Own smaller parts and subsystems from concept to production, with guidance and review from senior engineers.

• Rapid Hardware Prototyping: Design and build functional prototypes for UAS subsystems, iterating quickly based on flight test feedback and mission requirements.

• Test Fixture Design: Help conceptualize, design, build, and run test fixtures for prototype components.

• FEA: Define loading and boundary conditions, set up FEA studies, run and validate results under senior engineer guidance.

• Documentation: Write technical documentation and help prepare fabrication and assembly data for manufacturers.

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of mechanical engineering experience (internships, co-ops, and capstone/project work count) with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field — or equivalent practical experience in lieu of a degree

• Competence in parametric CAD (SolidWorks required)

• Exposure to FEA (coursework, internship, or project-level experience with linear static, linear dynamic, nonlinear dynamic, or thermal analysis)

• Experience with additive manufacturing (FDM, SLA, MJF) for prototyping

• Sheet metal design and manufacturing experience

• Demonstrated ownership of mechanical engineering projects (school, internship, or professional)

• Eagerness to learn in a fast-paced, hands-on hardware environment; comfortable receiving close mentorship while building toward more autonomous ownership