Mechanical Engineer – Equipment Design & Development (Engineer / Senior / Staff)

Deterrence; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock options

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Deterrence Defense, Inc. is seeking Mechanical Engineers to design and develop automated manufacturing equipment from concept through commissioning. This role owns mechanical system architecture, create detailed designs, manage vendors, and oversee testing for assigned equipment.

The company hires multiple engineers across levels; roles require hands-on experience taking custom machinery from CAD to a running production line, with collaboration across controls, robotics, and software teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience: 2+ years (Senior 5+ years, Staff 7+ years) in mechanical design of production or automation equipment.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, and commissioning manufacturing equipment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and machine safety systems.
• Ability to read and produce mechanical drawings, schematics, and specifications.
• Staff: owns equipment architecture for a program, leads vendor and design reviews, and mentors engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of automation equipment: layouts, frames, motion systems, tooling, fixturing, material handling, and interfaces.
• Develop equipment architecture and define performance metrics such as cycle time, precision, load capacity, and scalability.
• Produce detailed 3D models, drawings, and BOMs in SolidWorks; apply GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Perform structural, thermal, and fluid analysis; conduct DFMEA/DFM.
• Translate requirements into technical specifications for custom and off-the-shelf equipment; evaluate vendors and lead design reviews.
• Collaborate with controls, robotics, and software teams on integrated system development.
• Support build and assembly; lead FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues to root cause and drive design corrections.
• Maintain design documentation, change control, and spares definitions.

Skills

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

FEA

Robotics

GD&T

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

Job description

Summary

The Mechanical Engineer designs and develops automated manufacturing equipment from concept through commissioning. This role owns mechanical system architecture, detailed design, vendor management, build, and acceptance testing for assigned equipment. The ideal candidate brings strong mechanical design fundamentals, automation knowledge, and hands‑on experience taking custom machinery from CAD to a running production line. We are hiring multiple engineers across levels; scope and independence scale with level.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of automation equipment: layouts, frames, motion systems, tooling, fixturing, material handling, and system interfaces.
• Develop equipment architecture and define performance metrics such as cycle time, precision, load capacity, and scalability.
• Produce detailed 3D models, drawings, and BOMs in SolidWorks; apply GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Perform engineering analysis including structural, thermal, and fluid modeling; conduct DFM and DFMEA.
• Translate requirements into technical specifications for custom and off-the-shelf equipment; evaluate vendors and lead design reviews.
• Collaborate with controls, robotics, and software teams on integrated system development.
• Support build and assembly; lead FAT/SAT, installation, and commissioning.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues to root cause and drive design corrections.
• Maintain design documentation, change control, and spares definitions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Engineer: 2+ years · Senior: 5+ years · Staff: 7+ years in mechanical design of production or automation equipment.
• Hands‑on experience designing, building, and commissioning manufacturing equipment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and FEA.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and machine safety systems.
• Ability to read and produce mechanical drawings, schematics, and specifications.
• Staff additionally owns equipment architecture for a program, leads vendor and design reviews, and mentors engineers.

Preferred Skills

• Hazardous‑materials safety systems experience across chemical, energy, automotive, aerospace, or electronics industries.
• Procurement of complex custom machinery.
• Background in robotics, PLCs, mechatronics, or process development.
• Experience leading FAT/SAT and troubleshooting complex automation systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, and ISO safety standards.

Compensation.

The base salary range for this position is $140,000 – $235,000. This is a good‑faith estimate; actual base pay depends on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and level. This role is also eligible for equity (employee stock options) and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off. Roles with significant travel may be eligible for an assignment premium.

Export Control.

This position may require access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined in 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) or be eligible to obtain any required authorization.

Equal Opportunity.

Deterrence Defense, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities; if you need an accommodation at any point in the process, contact [e-mail].