Mechanical Engineer Test Infrastructure

Belcan; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Belcan is seeking a Mechanical Engineer in Berkeley, CA to design high-fidelity test beds for our cutting-edge iron-air battery tech. You will own the mechanical architecture of cell, module, and pack-level test stands, ensuring data that derisks development and scales with production needs.

You will lead from concept CAD through fabrication, integrate sensors, and collaborate with Electrical, Controls, and Chemical Engineers to deliver robust, safe, and production-ready tools in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience selecting sensors (temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure, etc.) and integrating them into systems.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or test equipment development.
• Proficiency with mCAD tools (SolidWorks, NX, etc.).
• Experience in Manufacturing Engineering delivering production-quality tools and designs.
• Strong understanding of safety and compliance in high-power/chemical environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, with balanced speed, rigor, and safety.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design & Development: lead mechanical design of complex test beds from concept CAD to fabrication and assembly, including HVAC, thermal, hydrogen, electrolyte, and air-handling systems for BESS components.
• System-Level Integration: create test environments that simulate real-world conditions for battery packs and auxiliary systems (pumps, manifolds, power electronics).
• Derisking & Validation: translate high-level testing requirements into mechanical hardware to identify failure modes early.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: partner with Electrical, Controls, and Chemical Engineers to integrate sensors, actuators, and DAQ hardware into designs.

Skills

Mechanical design

Sensor integration

Test equipment development

CAD tools

SolidWorks

NX

Safety compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Thermal management

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

We are hiring a Mechanical Engineer dedicated to the design and implementation of high-fidelity test beds. In this role, you won't just be building hardware; you’ll be building the "truth machines" that derisk our iron-air battery technology. You will focus on the mechanical architecture of cell, module, aux and pack-level test stands, ensuring our product development lifecycle is backed by robust, scalable, and representative physical data.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the scaling of our battery technology and be part of the growth of a fast-moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission!

What You’ll Do:

• Design & Development: Lead the mechanical design of complex test beds, from conceptual CAD through to fabrication and assembly. This includes HVAC systems, thermal management systems, hydrogen management systems, electrolyte management systems, and air-handling systems for BESS components.
• System-Level Integration: Create test environments that accurately simulate real-world conditions for our battery packs and auxiliary systems (pumps, manifolds, and power electronics).
• Derisking & Validation: Work closely with the Design Engineering and Test teams to translate high-level testing requirements into functional mechanical hardware that identifies failure modes early in the development cycle.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Electrical, Controls, and Chemical Engineers to integrate sensors, actuators, and DAQ (Data Acquisition) hardware into your mechanical designs.

What You’ll Bring:

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience selecting sensors (temperature, relative humidity, airflow, pressure, liquid level, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) & integrating them into systems (scaling, inputs, outputs)
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or test equipment development (battery or energy systems experience is a plus).
• Proficiency with mCAD tools (SolidWorks, NX, etc.)
• Experience working in a Manufacturing Engineering environment, delivering on production-quality tools and designs.
• Strong understanding of safety and compliance considerations in high-power and/or chemical environments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance speed, rigor, and safety.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.