Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Acceler8; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Acceler8Talent is partnering with a well-funded AI/networking hardware startup in the SF Bay area to hire a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer. You will shape next-generation high-performance systems, developing chassis, line cards, and assemblies that meet strict reliability and scalability targets.

You will perform tolerance analyses, design with sheet metal, plastics, die-cast and extrusion processes, and create detailed CAD models (Creo preferred) with proper BOM and ECO management.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or higher.
• 5–10 years in mechanical design for telecom or data center hardware.
• Creo or SolidWorks experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design: develop chassis and line card designs meeting reliability and scalability requirements.
• Tolerance Analysis: perform 2D/3D tolerance studies on complex assemblies.
• Mechanical Solutions: design parts using sheet metal, plastic, die-cast and extrusion with EMI/safety/compliance in mind.
• 3D Modeling & Documentation: create CAD models, PCB outlines, detailed drawings; manage BOMs/ECOs/part numbers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: work with hardware, thermal, CAD, and manufacturing teams on requirements and risks.
• Cooling & Supplier Support: design cooling systems (liquid/forced-air) and coordinate with suppliers for manufacturability.
• Cable & Connector Design: support OSFP/QSFP-DD/OSFP-XD connector and cable harness design.

Skills

Tolerance analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Mechanical design

Electro-mechanical design

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

CAD standards

Job description

Acceler8Talent is proud to partner with a well-funded, VC-backed AI/networking hardware startup in the SF Bay area that's redefining infrastructure for the world's largest hyperscalers. Operating under a Joint Development Model (JDM), this company co-develops highly customized networking hardware, software, and optics solutions tailored to the evolving needs of large-scale AI workloads.

With over $600M in funding and rapid expansion underway, they’re now looking to hire a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to help shape the next generation of high-performance systems.

Responsibilities

Mechanical Design: Develop chassis and line card designs that meet product, reliability, and scalability requirements.

Tolerance Analysis: Conduct 2D/3D tolerance studies for complex electro-mechanical assemblies.

Mechanical Solutions: Design parts using sheet metal, plastic, die-cast, and extrusion processes with attention to EMI, safety, and compliance.

3D Modeling & Documentation: Create CAD models (preferably in Creo), PCB outlines, and detailed drawings; manage BOMs, ECOs, and part numbers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with hardware, thermal, CAD, and manufacturing teams to align on requirements, solve issues, and manage risks.

Cooling & Supplier Support: Design cooling systems (liquid/forced-air) and coordinate with suppliers to ensure manufacturability.

Cable & Connector Design: Support OSFP/QSFP-DD/OSFP-XD connector and cable harness design for front panels and backplanes.

Qualifications

• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering
• 5-10 years of mechanical design experience in telecom or data center hardware

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Creo (preferred) and SolidWorks
• Strong understanding of EIA, ETSI, and OCP rack standards
• Experience with OSFP/QSFP-DD/OSFP-XD connectors and backplane systems
• Skilled in tolerancing for complex electro-mechanical assemblies
• Familiar with NEBS testing and compliance (a plus)

Hands-On Experience

• Mechanical design using sheet metal, molding, casting, and extrusion
• Cable harness and cooling system (liquid/air) design
• Comfortable with rework tools and mock-up fabrication