Principal Mechanical Engineer

Reframe Systems; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Reframe Systems is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Andover, MA to drive the factory vision at FAB1. You will define and standardize mechanical, robotics, and automation building blocks for scalable future factories.

You will design robust mechanical systems, then join the shop floor to assemble, test, and deploy production hardware, setting the bar for engineering rigor and reliability.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in machine design, industrial automation, or heavy equipment.
• Expert-level CAD skills (Onshape preferred).
• Strong GD&T proficiency for manufacturability and inspectability.
• FEA experience (Ansys, SolidWorks Sim, or similar).
• Commissioning experience bringing hardware from design to full operation.
• Hands-on capability with shop tools (mills, lathes, etc.) to modify parts or build prototypes.

Responsibilities

• Lead FAB1 Commissioning: Take ownership of key mechanical subsystems during the factory launch. Troubleshoot assembly issues, oversee equipment installation, and validate system performance against requirements.
• High-Fidelity Design & Documentation: Create complex 2D technical drawings for fabrication and assembly. You will be the internal standard-bearer for GD&T (ASME Y14.5).
• Structural Analysis (FEA): Perform Finite Element Analysis on fixtures, gantries, and end-effectors to ensure safety factors meet standards before fabrication.
• Detailed Mechanical Design: Design robust mechanical systems using Onshape, from large weldments to precision fixtures.
• Vendor & Fabrication Management: Liaise with external machine shops and vendors; ensure parts meet schedule.
• Root Cause Analysis: Lead investigations; identify failure modes and implement fixes.
• Mentorship: Act as a technical mentor to engineers, modeling best practices.

Skills

Mechanical design

Industrial automation

GD&T

FEA

Onshape CAD

Documentation

Mentorship

Hands-on prototyping

Root cause analysis

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Onshape

Ansys

SolidWorks

Mills

Lathes

Job description

About Us

Reframe Systems is a Physical AI and robotics company on a mission to make high-performance housing attainable and abundant in the communities where people want to live. Through our vertically integrated delivery model and highly automated microfactories, we deliver climate-resilient homes and buildings with greater speed and predictability than traditional construction.

Our volumetric modular buildings are produced in our Andover, MA microfactory, with a growing pipeline across North America and a new microfactory on the way. We are building a system that balances repeatability with site-responsive design, enabling homes adaptable to each site, community, and customer need. Our cross-disciplinary team brings together architecture, robotics, design engineering, software, factory operations, and field delivery to change how housing gets delivered.

We’re reimagining the future of housing through a smarter and more sustainable system that empowers people to live better. Come build it with us.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer who thrives at the intersection of rigorous design and physical reality. You will help drive Reframe’s factory vision at the system level, then translate it into execution at FAB1 (our first microfactory) by defining and standardizing the mechanical, robotics, and automation building blocks we will replicate across future factories.

This is a role for someone that loves both designing robust, detailed mechanical systems, then getting into the shop, helping build, test, and deploy production hardware. We need a hands‑on technical leader who is excited to be "in the trenches"—assembling equipment, troubleshooting on the floor, and validating designs in real‑time. You will set the engineering bar for our team, specifically driving standards in GD&T, detailed drawing generation, and structural analysis (FEA). You will bridge the gap between R&D concepts and robust, industrial‑grade reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead FAB1 Commissioning: Take ownership of key mechanical subsystems during the factory launch. Troubleshoot assembly issues, oversee equipment installation, and validate system performance against requirements.

• High‑Fidelity Design & Documentation: Create complex 2D technical drawings for fabrication and assembly. You will be the internal standard‑bearer for GD&T (ASME Y14.5), ensuring parts are manufactured to tolerance and fit the first time.

• Structural Analysis (FEA): Perform Finite Element Analysis on fixtures, gantries, and end‑effectors to ensure safety factors and structural rigidity meet industrial standards before fabrication.

• Detailed Mechanical Design: Design robust mechanical systems using Onshape, from large weldments and safety enclosures to precision grippers and fixtures.

• Vendor & Fabrication Management: Liaise with external machine shops and vendors. Your detailed drawing packages will be the primary communication tool to ensure external partners deliver quality parts on schedule.

• Root Cause Analysis: When things break (and they will), lead the investigation. Use data and physical inspection to identify failure modes and implement permanent engineering fixes.

• Mentorship: Act as a technical mentor to engineers across the team, modeling best practices in design review, documentation, and safety.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.

• 8+ years of experience in machine design, industrial automation, or heavy equipment engineering.

• Expert‑level CAD skills (Onshape preferred) with a portfolio demonstrating complex assembly management.

• Strong proficiency in GD&T: You can read, write, and explain geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to ensure manufacturability and inspectability.

• Simulation experience: Practical experience using FEA (Ansys, SolidWorks Sim, or cloud‑native tools) to validate structural loads and deflection.

• Commissioning experience: Proven track record of bringing hardware from the design phase to full operation in a factory or industrial setting.

• Hands‑on capability: You are comfortable using hand tools, power tools, and basic shop equipment (mills, lathes, etc.) to modify parts or build prototypes.

Nice to Have

• Experience with large‑scale gantry systems or robotic workcells.

• Background in the construction, automotive, or aerospace industries.

• Experience designing welding fixtures or heavy‑duty material handling equipment.

• Familiarity with PDM/PLM systems and version control in a fast‑paced environment.

Please include a portfolio or examples of previous work (specifically highlighting drawing packages or complex mechanisms) with your application.