Mechanical Engineer II, R&D

Hardware FYI; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Holistic benefits package

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Form Energy is hiring a Mechanical Engineer II, R&D to join our Core Technology Hardware team, where you will own the design of the hardware that evaluates and refines our iron‑air battery technology. You will drive concepts from CAD through fabrication to assembly, delivering working hardware to scientists and engineers who rely on it to accelerate discovery.

You will collaborate with researchers to design tools, create CAD models, and produce engineering drawings while maintaining a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in mechanical design, through industry roles, research, or equivalent project work.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and 2D drafting using SolidWorks or a similar tool, with working knowledge of GD&T applied to real designs.
• Hands-on prototyping experience with fabrication methods such as machining, 3D printing, or sheet metal, and sound judgment about which fits a given design.
• Ability to take a design from concept to working hardware with limited guidance.
• Proficiency writing technical documentation, including work instructions that others can follow.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with comfort working alongside scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Intellectual curiosity and pragmatic problem-solving.
• Comfort with complexity and a commitment to safety, quality, and the people you work with.

Responsibilities

• Design standard and custom test vehicles, balancing performance, manufacturability, and speed to test.
• Drive projects from concept through build with clear communication of status and risk.
• Fabricate prototypes and proofs of concept, iterating quickly based on build and test feedback.
• Work with technicians to streamline builds and improve the reliability and repeatability of assembly.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to design tools and fixtures that expand our discovery and development capabilities.
• Produce CAD models and engineering drawings that technicians, machinists, and vendors can build from, and release them through our documentation process.
• Manage multiple projects at once and adjust as priorities shift.
• Follow lab and shop safety practices and design hardware for safe operations.

Skills

3D CAD

2D Drafting

SolidWorks

GD&T

Prototyping

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety awareness

Concept to hardware

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron‑air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now – right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing – might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading – you’ve come to the right place.

Role Description

Form Energy is hiring a Mechanical Engineer II, R&D to join our Core Technology Hardware team, where you will own the design of the hardware that lets us evaluate and refine our iron‑air battery technology. As a Mechanical Engineer II, you will play a critical role in turning electrode and battery concepts into physical test vehicles, from standard platforms to custom builds for novel experiments. You will drive designs from concept through CAD, fabrication, and assembly, with growing independence, and deliver working hardware to the scientists and engineers who use it to accelerate discovery and development. Your work will help us build and validate a complex, novel product that supports a more reliable electric grid.

What you'll do:

• Design standard and custom test vehicles, balancing performance, manufacturability, and speed to test

• Drive projects from concept through build with clear communication of status and risk

• Fabricate prototypes and proofs of concept, iterating quickly based on build and test feedback

• Work with technicians to streamline builds and improve the reliability and repeatability of assembly

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to design tools and fixtures that expand our discovery and development capabilities

• Produce CAD models and engineering drawings that technicians, machinists, and vendors can build from, and release them through our documentation process

• Manage multiple projects at once and adjust as priorities shift

• Follow lab and shop safety practices and design hardware for safe operations

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

• 2-5 years of experience in mechanical design, through industry roles, research, or equivalent project work

• Proficiency in 3D CAD and 2D drafting using SolidWorks or a similar tool, with working knowledge of GD&T applied to real designs

• Hands‑on prototyping experience with fabrication methods such as machining, 3D printing, or sheet metal, and sound judgment about which fits a given design

• Ability to take a design from concept to working hardware with limited guidance

• Proficiency writing technical documentation, including work instructions that others can follow

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with comfort working alongside scientists, engineers, and technicians

• Intellectual curiosity and pragmatic problem‑solving

• Comfort with complexity and a commitment to safety, quality, and the people you work with

#LI-DNI

Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees – and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.

To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.

If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.